\<V^^^^v^•.^^^^^^ylVA\V^^vA^v,■,v,v.■•v^•,v.•.■.■.'.■.Vn 


'.v^'A^-'MWi 


[  mill  ij 


"    uuuu-    ,inir,mni 

■4  .<X-  -.f  .',v.'.v,\VAv;.v 


>u    C  'C  iniiinuiuiiiii 
ij   iJ  '5   ii\miiniiimv 


«■■ 


li« 


.iiwimnutiHiuu;. 

iinimiiun  tin  tV.i 
1   ;im'.uiiiuuuimini 
■^  iuniHi\n\iiuiuiiiu 
MnHnuniiuu.uMimm 


Mmmm^^^^^^ 


smm 


f^m, 


uin  '  II 


i.(MminY\WmUI 


■MmX' 


^mMM^iMMMM 


iwpa 


fllllU 


•  run 


l..wi<--..w...»rtrtl     I, 

tVLiuip.M'i.iAi,m'j.-. ,' 


(Lift  1.  M.  HtU  ICtbrarij 


^nrth  (HaroUna  ^latp  (TnlUgp 

SF523 
C79 


9 
7. 


im^Lt^f-^^ 


148724     i 


This  book  may  be  kept  out  TWO  WEEKS 
ONLY,  and  is  subject  to  a  fine  of  FIVE 
CENTS  a  day  thereafter.  It  is  due  on  the 
day  indicated  below: 


50M— May-54— Form   3 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2009  with  funding  from 

NCSU  Libraries 


http://www.archive.org/details/cottagebeekeeperOOfill 


i 


SAXTON'S    COTTAGE    AND    FARM  LIBRARY. 
THE 

COTTAGE  BEE  KEEPER; 

OR    SUGGESnOXS    FOR 

THE  PRACTICAL  MANAGEMENT 


:2lmatnir,  (Hottage  anb  Jar m  Apiaries, 

ON   SCIENTIFIC   PRINCIPLES. 

■«"rrn  an 

APPENDIX  OF  NOTES,  CHIEFLY  ILLUSTRATIVE. 

BY  A  COUNTRY  CURATE. 


"  Tollite  barbarum  morem." 


NEW    YORK: 

C.  M.  SAXTON,  AGRICULTURAL  BOOK  PUBLISHER, 
No.    152   Fnlton    Street. 

M   DCCC   LI. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1851,  by    ■ 

C.  M.  SAXTON, 

in  the  Clerk's  office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Southern  District 
of  New  York. 


K.  o.  JENKINS,  printer. 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


The  subscriber  takes  gi-eat  pleasure  in  offering  the  present  little 
volume,  as  the  first  of  the  series,  entitled  "  Sazton'S  Farm  and 
Cottage  Xiibrary,"  to  the  patronage  of  the  public,  in  the  beUef 
that  it  will  satisfy  all  the  reasonable  expectations  of  the  American 
bee  keeper,  who,  it  is  hoped,  wUl  derive  many  a  useful  hint  in  this 
interesting  branch  of  knowledge,  and  wUl  be  amply  remunerated  for 
his  pains. 

The  object  of  this  series  is  to  present,  in  a  cheap  and  popular 
form,  short  and  concise  treatises  on  Bees,  Rabbits,  Pigeons,  Birds, 
Flowers,  Fruits,  Sweet  and  CuHnary  Herbs,  Recipes  for  Cooking,  and 
numerous  other  subjects  appertaining  to  domestic  And  rural  economy, 
adapted  to  the  taste  and  capacity  of  the  amateur,  the  farmer  and  the 
gardener. 

Neither  labor  nor  expense  will  be  spared  in  getting  up  these 
treatises,  in  making  them  correct,  and  appropriately  illustrating  them 
wherever  the  subject  maj'^  demand. 

C.  M.  SAXTON, 
Agricdxtcral  Book  Pi'blisher,  New  York. 

152  Fulton  Street. 


148724 


PREFACE. 


It  will  naturally  be  expected  by  every  one  who  hears  of  the  publi- 
cation of  a  new  work  on  bees — in  the  face  of  the  many  excellent 
treatises  already  extant,  some  of  which  have  opened  to  us  many  mar- 
vels in  the  natural  history,  while  others  have  facihtated  the  profitable 
management,  of  these  wonderful  insects — either  that  the  adventurous 
author  has  something  new  to  add  to  the  common  stock  of  already 
acquired  knowledge  upon  the  subject,  or  that  he  has,  at  least,  some 
satisfactory  reasons  to  allege  for  intruding  himself  upon  public  notice ; 
seeing  that  to  write  a  book,  for  which  there  is  no  v.acant  place  on  the 
library  shelf  of  the  apiarian  reader,  must  undoubtedly  be  considered 
a  work  of  no  little  folly  and  presumption.  Respecting,  as  he  does, 
this  attitude  of  very  natural  expectation  on  the  part  of  the  public,  the 
author  of  the  ensuing  pages  would  submit  the  following  observations 
to  the  consideration  of  the  candid  reader. 

In  the  first  place,  there  is  no  one  but  will  readily  allow  that  our 
knowledge  of  bees,  scientific  or  practical,  however  it  may  have  in- 
creased of  late  years,  is  still  Umited ;  or  that  there  is  at  least  room  for 
improvement.  If  this  admission  be  made,  it  at  once  follows  that 
there  is  room  for  a  new  work  on  the  subject,  however  the  aparian's 
library  may  seem  at  first  sight  to  be  complete  without  it. 

The  author  hopes  that  so  much  of  novelty  will  be  found  in  his  book 


as  shall  distinguish  it  from  every  antecedent  bee  book,  stamp  it  with 
an  identity  of  its  own,  and  make  it  interesting  and  acceptable  even  to 
the  old-established  bee  keeper,  Wliile,  however,  some  matters  in  this 
book  are  undoubtedly  new,  (whether  suggestions  originating  with,  or 
discoveries  and  improvements  made  by,  himself,)  the  author  having 
made  a  free  use  of  every  available  theory,  suggestion,  or  practice, 
(from  whatever  quarter  it  came,)  it  follows  that  the  gi-eater  part  of 
the  volume  is  old  matter,  however  it.  may  have  assumed  a  new  shape. 
His  aim  has  been,  first,  to  recommend  a  more  systematic,  and  at  the 
same  time  improved,  method  of  cottage  bee  management  than  at  pre- 
sent prevails ;  and,  secondly ,  to  invite  the  attention  of  amateurs  to  his 
own  i:)eculiar  plan  of  managing  bees  on  scientific  principles,  founded 
on  the  considerable  experience  of  nearly  eight  years,  assisted  by  much 
thought  on  the  subject ;  and  he  beheves  there  are  many  persons,  who, 
after  a  due  consideration  and  trial  of  the  system,  (artificial  though  it 
may  appear,)  will  approve  of  it  as  being  both  simple  and  effectual, 
and  perhaps  better  calculated  than  most  other  systems,  (in  the  hands 
of  an  attentive  and  inteUigent  bee  keeper,)  to  give  satisfaction,  as  well 
on  the  ground  of  economy  as  of  profit. 

The  fact  is,  although  it  may  be  said  with  reason  that  there  never 
was  a  time  in  the  whole  history  of  bee-keeping,  at  least  in  this  coun- 
try, when  the  jDursuit  has  numbered  so  many  votaries  as  at  the  pre- 
sent moment — and  certainly  never  did  success  promise  so  well  to  the 
lover  of  bees,  thanks  to  the  facility  with  which  every  kind  of  inlbrma- 
tion  on  the  subject  is  diffused  through  the  medium  of  the  press — the 
author  believes  that  the  science  of  practical  bee  management  is  yet 
but  imperfectly  developed  after  all,  compared  with  what  it  may  yet 
become,  if  our  apiarians  will  only  give  it  the  time  and  attention  Avhich 
it  deserves.  No  practical  results,  for  instance,  have  proceeded  from, 
at  all  commensurate  with,  the  splendid  discoveries  of  Huber,  Reau- 
mur, and  Shirach,  relative  to  the  natural  history  of  the  bee ;  and  yet 


rREKACE.  VU 

their  revelations  supply  sufficient  data  upon  which  a  highly  scientific 
treatment  of  bees  might  be  estabHshed.  In  tliia  little  ^YOrk  will  be 
found  an  attempt  to  bring  our  higher  knowledge  upon  the  subject  to 
bear  upon,  and  improve,  the  system  of  bee  management  actually  in 
vogue  among  us. 

The  few  wood  cuts,  it  is  hoped,  will  sufficiently  answer  their  pur- 
pose of  helping  out  the  instructions  of  the  text.  If  it  be  complained 
that  they  are  somewhat  rude  and  primitive,  the  fault  is  to  be  attri- 
buted to  circumstances,  not  to  intention. 

Other  bee  authors,  in  di'awing  their  labors  to  a  conclusion,  have 
thought  it  well  to  sohcit  the  favor  of  ingenuous  mticism; — following 
in  their  steps,  as  considering  that  many  still  hidden  truths  may  yet  be 
evoked  by  a  spirit  of  candid  inquiry,  tending  to  throw  valuable  hght 
on  the  subject  of  these  pages,  the  author  would  also  invite  the  same. 

March  'iOth,  1851. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER   I. 

PEEUMQIART  KOTICES,   RECOMMEXDATORT  OF  COTTAGE  AXP  AJUTECR   BEK-KEEPDJa. 

Page 
Origin  of  the  -vrork — The  study  of  bees  has  a  moral  tendency — Proper  way  to  encour- 
age cottagers  in  an  improved  method  of  managing  bees — Opportunities  within 
reach  of  the  country  clergy  of  furthering  this  branch  of  rural  economy — Advan- 
tage to  themselves  resulting  from  it — Peculiar  difficulties  of  English  bee  keepers — 
Attention  and  perseverance  the  best  remedy  against  thetn        -         ...        1 


CHAPTER   II. 

OP  THE  ESTABUSHMEST   OF    AN    APIART — CHOICE   OF  A    SlTtJATION,  AND  REQUISITES    FOR    IT3 

WELFARE. 

What  localities  are  favorable,  or  otherwise,  to  the  production  of  honey — Rules  to  be 
observed — Shelter  from  high  winds  and  protection  against  damp — Importance  of 
coolness  of  situation — Internal  heat  alone  productive  of  prosperity — Pedestals — Im- 
portance of  ascertaining  the  weight  of  every  article  of  bee  furniture — Distance  at 
which  hives  should  stand  from  each  other — Height  from  the  ground — Importance  of 
water — Danger  arising  from  the  neigborhood  of  ponds  or  rivers — ^Vermin  and  offen- 
sive smells  to  be  avoided — Advantage  of  low  shrubs  and  a  screen  of  trees  in  front  of 
the  apiary — Proper  standing  ground — Injury  arising  from  drippings  of  trees,  &o. — 
Apiary  should  be  out  of  sight  of  a  public  highway — But  visible  from  the  most  fre- 
quented part  of  the  house        .....-.--.. 


CHAPTER   III. 

OP  STOCKIXG  THE  APIART,    WITH   DIRECTIOSS  FOR  THE  PURCHASE   OP  STOCKS  AND  SWARMS. 

Purchase  of  swarms  the  cheapest — Best  way  of  commencing  an  apiary — Proper 
weight  and  time  of  issue  of  a  swarm — Importance  of  ascertaining  the  age 
of  the  queen  bee — Swarms  from  strong  two-year-old  stocks  to  be  preferred,  if  they 


CONTENTS. 

Pago 
threw  off  swarms  the  previous  year — A  swarm  of  the  current  year,  out  of  a  last 
year's  swarm,  to  be  rejected — Relative  value  of  swarms  and  stocks — Purchase  of 
stocks  in  spring  to  be  preferred,  otherwise  in  autumn — Precautions  against  decep- 
tion— Rules  to  be  observed  in  the  selection  of  stocks — Indications  of  vigor  in  a 
hive — Proper  weight — Transporting  hives         -- 13 


.  CHAPTER  IV. 

OF  STRAW  COTTAGE    HIVES — THEIR  SIIAPE,   SIZE,   AM)  CONSTRUCTION. 

The-old  fashioned  bell  hive  objectionable — Mr.  Payne's  hive  most  suitable  for  cot- 
tagers— Though  too  small — Two  sizes  recommended — Stock  hive  large,  spoliation 
hive  small— Material  and  method  of  construction— Entrance  way— Reasons  for 
approval  of  large  hives -17 

CHAPTER   V. 

THE  COTTAGE  SYSTEM  OF  BEE  MAUAGE5IEST  IN   THE  OPEN  AIK. 

Advantage  of  a  bee  dress— I.  First  Year— Propriety  of  destroying  the  queen  in  the 
spring  if  her  age  exceeds  two  or  three  years— Method  of  returning  swarms  and 
capture  of  queen— Rising  of  the  prime  swarm  with  a  new  queen,  and  treatment  of 
It— Wl  It  if  the  old  queen  leads  off  the  swarm— Encouragement  of  a  large  swarm— 
Treatm^int  of  casts— Excision  of  royal  cells— Supplying  hive  room- Removal  of  a 
bee  glass,  how  effected— Weighing  hives— Proper  weight— Making  up  a  deficiency 
of  food— Sheltering  hives  from  the  sun— Wintering  bees- :\Ir.  Taylor's  screens— 
II.  Second  Year— Board  cleansing— Excision  of  mouldy  comb— Spring  feeding- 
Treatment  of  weak  stocks— Swarming— Bee  glasses— Super  hives— Driving— Mate- 
rials for,  and  manner  of  conducting  the  process— Uniting  bees— Fumigation— Au- 
tumn spoliation  of  hives— Same  stocks  to  be  preserved  from  year  to  year— Renewal 
of  comb— Summary  of  advantages  peculiar  to  the  system  recommended  in  this 
chapter nn 


CHAPTER  VI. 

HIVES    OP  STRAW   SriTABLE   TO  AMATEUR   BEE  MANAGEMENT. 

Mr.  Gelding's  Grecian  hive— Its  superiority  to  every  other  kind  of  hive— Mr.  Tay- 
lor's straw  hive— Slight  modification  of  Mr.  Golding's  hive— Size  too  small— Two 
sizes  recommended— Construction— Painting  hivee— Boxes  unsuitable  for  the 
open  air-.-.. 41 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER   yil. 

THE   AlUTETR   SYSTEM   OF  BEE   SUXAGEJIEST     IX   THE   CPES   AIR. 

Page 
Of  the  depriving  system  ;  unsuitable  to  out-door  apiaries — Plan  here  recommended  to 
the  amateur  not  essentially  different  in  its  different  features  to  that  before  detailed 
in  the  fifth  chapter — History  of  artificial  swarming — Dr.  Scudamore — Difficulties 
in  the  way  or  a  general  adoption  of  this  method — Proper  time  for  making  artificial 
swarms — Depends  on  two  things  ;  state  of  weather  and  season,  and  forwardness 
of  stock — Importance  of  waiting  till  the  commencement  of  the  grand  honey  harvest, 
and  the  considerable  appearance  of  drones — Process  of  forming  artificial  swarms 
— Treatment  of  the  old  stock — Xo  casts  to  be  permitted — Summer  management  of 
the  prime  swarm — Arrangement  of  the  hives  in  an  apiary — Preservation  of  brood 
in  the  autumn — And  of  comb — Reasons  for  recommending  artificial  swarming    -    45 


CHAPTER   Till. 

OF  BOXES,    ETC.,  SrlTABLE  FOR  AX  K-DOOR  APIART. 

Wooden  boxes  preferable  to  straw  hives— Construction  and  quality  of  wood — Dimen- 
sions— Two  coltateral  boxes  to  one  colony  sufficient — Plenty  of  room  to  be  given 
in  glasses  or  caps  over  the  stock  hive — Adapters — Bars  and  their  arrangement — 
Thermometers,  how  useful,  and  where  to  be  placed — Guide  comb  to  be  affixed  to 
the  roof  of  the  box,  diagonally- — Two  bottom  boards  to  each  colony  ;  one  to  every 
box — Closing  sides  of  zinc     -  ----...--62 


CHAPTER   IX. 

OF  THE  BEE  HOUSE  AXT)  WINDOW  APUBT. 

Observations  on  bee  houses — Sheds  objectionable — Dr.  Bevan's  beehouse — ^Instruc- 
tions for  erecting  a  bee  house — Cross-barred  frame  for  supporting  the  boxes- 
Window  apiary ;  its  advantages — Entrance  blocks         ...         ... 


CHAPTER  X. 

MAXAGEJfEJTT   OF  THE   BEE  HOUSE  OR  WDfDOW  APURT. 

A  few  hiveg  of  straw  to  be  kept  in  the  open  air — The  depriving  system  not  perfect — 
Treatment  of  straw  hives — How  to  stock  a  bee  house,  Ac. — I.  First  Ykah— With 
a  prime  swarm — Forcing  airtificial  swarms  and  destmction  of  queen — Caation 


Xil  CONTENTS. 

Page 
Natural  swarming  preferred  in  the  event  of  the  destruction  of  the  old  queen — If 
queen  destroyed  or  not,  casts  to  be  expected — Treatment  of  casts — Feeding  new- 
swarms — Supplying  room — Preparing  for  autumjial  formation  of  artificial  stocks 
— Removal  of  full  bee  glass — Method  of  forming  artificial  stocks — Uniting  bees — 
Treatment  of  them — Advantages  of  such  stocks — Second  plan  for  rearing  artificial 
stocks — Autumn  feeding — Winter  treatment — Board-cleansing — II.  Second  Year 
— Spring  feeding — Spring  treatment — Summer  management — New  method  of  in- 
creasing an  apiary,  wholly  irrespective  of  swarming — Artificial  swarms  to  be  mado 
out  of  old  straw  hives — How  to  form  one  good  stock  out  of  two  old  ones — Renova- 
tion of  comb  in  boxes — Renewing  colonies  in  a  bee  house  by  replacing  old  with 
young  queens  


72 


CHAPTER  XI. 

OP  FEEDING  BEES: 

Top  feeding  preferable  to  feeding  at  bottom — Objections  to  Mr.  Nntt's  plan — Care 
to  be  taken  to  prevent  escape  of  heat  in  a  hive  in  spring — Two  kinds  of  feeders  re- 
commended and  described — One  for  copious  feeding  in  autumn — The  other  for  par- 
tial feeding  in  winter  and  spring — Objections  to  winter  feeding — August  or  Sep- 
tember feeding  to  be  preferred — Food — Sugared  ale — Barley  sugar         ■         -        96 


CHAPTER  XII. 

OF  CERTAIN  INSTRtTMENTS,   EITHER  OSEFCL  OR  NECESSARY    TO  BEE  MANAGEMENT. 

Xinc    plate — Bee   dress — Bee  knife   of  two   kinds — ^Weighing   machine   for    garden 
hives — Conclusion        --  ......... 


THE 


COTTAGE  AND  FARM   BEE   KEEPER, 


CHAPTER    I. 

PREUMINARY  NOTICES,  RECOMMENDATORY  OF  COTTAaE  AND 
AMATEUR  BEE  KEEPING. 

THE  history  of  this  volume — how  and  why  it  came  to  be  -written — I 
may  perhaps  be  allowed  to  state  in  a  few  words.  When  I  first  settled 
down  in  an  agricultural  district,  having  long  been  passionately  addicted 
to  the  study  of  bees,  but  chiefly  as  a  recreative  pursuit,  I  turned  my 
attention  to  the  subject  anew,  with  a  more  practical  intent,  as  I  began 
to  view  in  it  one  means,  among  others,  of  improving  the  condition, 
both  financial  and  moral,  of  the  surrounding  peasantry,  many  of  whom 
were  sufiering  greatly  under  the  pressure  of  the  times.  The  vicinage, 
as  affording  bee  pasturage,  had  ever  been  considered  remarkably  good ; 
and  the  honey  of  the  district,  too,  was  much  esteemed.  The  culture 
of  bees  itself,  however,  was  almost  in  its  lowest  condition,  at  least 
amongst  the  poor.  I  argued  to  myself,  therefore,  that  if  only  half-a- 
dozen  famihes  could  be  permanently  benefited  by  my  instruction  and 
encouragement,  it  would  amply  repay  me  for  any  trouble  I  might 
incur.  To  lose  no  time,  I  at  once  established  a  second  apiary  of  my 
own,  in  the  management  of  which  I  hope  to  acquire  such  sound  addi- 
tional knowledge  of  bee  matters,  as  should  qualify  me  to  act  as  a 
pioneer,  and  ultimately  to  become  the  propounder,  of  a  better  system 
than  that  which  prevailed  around  me ;  nor  was  it  long  before  I  felt 
myself  in  a  position  to  start  my  plan  of  cottage  bee  encouragement. 
At  the  same  time,  I  sought  other  aid  in  the  published  treatises  of  older 
and  more  experienced  bee  keepers,  some  of  whom  I  knew  had  en- 
deavored to  write  for  the  benefit  of  the  poor.     But  seek  as  I  might,  1 


D.  H.  HILL  LIBRARY 
North  Carolina  State  College 


2  THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER. 

Fon.gl.t  in  vain  for  the  tract  wliose  instructions  generally  my  own 
experience  -vvould  justify  me  in  recommending  to  their  notice.  It  was 
about  this  time  I  formed  the  design  of  myself  attempting  to  supply 
this  desideratum  in  apiarian  literature ;  but  after  spoiUng  much  good 
paper,  and  wa  ting  not  a  httle  valuable  time,  I  \n  as  fain  to  give  it  up 
in  the  end,  not  from  any  doubt  as  to  the  matter  or  instructions  which 
I  designed  to  give  being  good  and  useful,  but  from  a  sense  of  the  dif- 
ficulty I  should  find  in  successfully  handling  the  subject,  so  as  to  bring 
it  down  to  the  understanchng  of  the  poor.  From  the  dibris  of  this 
tract,  however,  arose  the  conception  and  outhne  of  the  present  work, 
which  by  degrees  assumed  its  actual  form — ^less  modest  and  unpre- 
tending it  may  be  than  the  parent  from  whose  ashes  it  proceeded,  but, 
I  would  fain  hope,  not  the  less  calculated  to  please  and  to  be  useful. 

My  first  object,  however,  remains  unaltered.  I  wish  to  induce  all 
residents  in  the  country,  who  have  leisure  and  opportunity,  to  en- 
courage bee  keeping  among  their  poorer  neighbors — and  not  with  a 
view  to  their  pecuniary  advantage  only,  for  the  study  of  bees  is  capa- 
ble of  ministering  to  a  much  higher  end.  There  is  scarcely  a  more  in- 
teresting branch  of  natural  history  to  be  mentioned,  and  none  certain- 
ly more  instructive.  To  quote  the  words  of  Dr.  Bevan:  "In  common 
with  the  other  branches  of  natural  liistory,  it  leads  to.  a  salutary  exer- 
cise of  the  mental  faculties ;  it  induces  a  habit  of  observation  and  re- 
flection ;  no  pleasure  is  more  easily  attainable,  nor  less  alloyed  by  any 
debasing  mixture;  it  tends  to  enlarge  and  harmonise  the  mind,  and  to 
elevate  it  to  worthy  conceptions  of  nature  and  its  Author."'  Every 
word  of  this  is  true.  The  rustic  bee  keeper,  if  he  have  only  a  soul  to 
appreciate  .the  works  of  God,  and  an  intelligence  of  an  inquisitive  or- 
der— and  intelligence  is  sure  to  expand  with  the  attentive  study  of 
any  branch  of  natural  history — cannot  fail  to  become  deeply  interested 
in  observing  the  Avonderful  instincts,  (instincts  akin  to  reason,)  of  these 
admirable  creatures ;  at  the  same  time  that  he  will  learn  many  lessons 
of  practical  wisdom  from  their  examjile.  Having  acquired  a  knowl- 
edge of  their  habits,  not  a  bee  will  buzz  in  liis  ear  without  recalling  to 
liim  some  of  these  lessons,  and  helping  to  make  him  a  wiser  and  a 
better  man.  It  is  certain  that  in  all  my  experience  I  never  yet  met 
with  a  keeper  of  bees  who  was  not  a  respectable,  weU-conducted 
member  of  society,  and  a  moral,  if  not  a  rehgious,  man.  It  is  evident, 
on  reflection,  that  this  pursuit,  if  weU  attended  to,  must  occupy  soin*^ 


THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER.  3 

considerable  share  of  a  man's  time  and  thoughts.  He  must  be  often 
about  his  bees,  ^Yhich  will  help  counteract  the  baneful  allurement 
of  the  village  "pubUc,"  with  all  its  accompanying  syren-hke  evils. 
Whoever  is  fond  of  his  bees  is  fond  of  his  home — is  an  axiom  of  u-re- 
fragable  truth  ;  and  it  is  an  axiom  that  will  be  sure  to  kindle  in  every 
true  EngUshman's  breast  a  favorable  regard  for  a  pursuit,  wliich, 
though  humble,  has  undoubted  power  to  produce  so  happy  an  influ- 
ence. ""Where  the  Frenchman  sings  of  his  country,  we  talk  o{home. 
.  .  .We  point  with  exultation,  (and  I  trust  with  gratitude,)  to  the  fire- 
sides of  England,  and  claim  the  admiration  of  the  world  for  the  virtue 
which  has  gained  so  high  a  reward."  [Xo  home-loving  American  can 
be  a  stranger  to  these  feelings,  and  cannot  fail  to  be  susceptible  of  the 
same  happy  influences.]  Who  will  not  assist  in  any  eflbrts,  great  or 
small,  which  may  continue  this  our  claim  to  universal  admiration? 
Who,  that  sees  in  the  love  of  home  the  companion  of  many  other 
TU'tues,  which,  if  not  yet  developed  into  active  exercise,  are  still  only 
dormant,  and  may  be  roused  into  wakeful  energy  at  any  moment  ? 

To  gain  the  attention,  however,  of  the  poor  themselves,  with  the 
hope  ot  successfully  instructing  them  in  an  improved  system  of  bee 
culture,  is  confessedly  not  an  easy  task.  While  in  other  countries  the 
peasantry  need  httle  instruction  from  their  superiors  in  this  matter — 
their  own  quick  intelligence  supplying  them  with  every  necessary  en- 
couragement— it  must  be  acknowledged  that  our  rustic  poor  are 
slow  of  apprehension  to  a  proverb,  and  unready  at  learning  even  from 
the  successful  examples  of  others.  Hence  it  is  proper  to  give  them 
gradual  instruction,  taking  care  to  make  the  first  converts  in  a  neigh- 
borhood of  the  most  industrious  and  inteUigent  of  its  cottagers.  It  is 
obviously  useless,  also,  to  recommend  to  their  notice  any  system  of 
comphcated  machinery  or  of  fanciful  contrivance.  Every  suggestion 
and  every  improvement  which  it  is  intended  they  shall  take  in,  must 
be  of  the  most  simple  kind.  I  do  not  think  it  necessary  to  say  much 
on  the  subject  of  expense  ;  for  costly  experiments  must  ever  oppose 
an  insuperable  barrier  to  bee  improvement  among  the  poor.  Sim- 
pUcity  of  detail,  therefore,  and  perseverance  in  instruction,  as  well  as 
personal  example,  must  go  hand  in  hand  together  in  any  attempts  to 
increase  the  number  of  or  to  improve  the  system  actually  in  vogue 
among,  cottage  bee  keepers.  I  would  fain  trust  that  the  system  of 
cottage  management,  explained  further  on,  wiU  not  be  found  so  diffi- 


4  THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER. 

cult  as  to  prevent  its  answering  the  first  of  the  requisites  above  men- 
tioned ;  for  the  other,  the  benevolence  of  the  higher  classes  and  their 
kind  co-operation  must  be  looked  to. 

It  is  because  I  believe  our  rural  clergy  have  it  in  their  power  more 
than  any  body  else  to  encourage  tliis  branch  of  rural  economy,  that  I 
would  address  these  pages  especially  to  them.  Owing  to  their  con- 
tinual residence  within  their  parishes  or  cures,  they  have  the  best  op- 
portunities, both  of  acquiring  themselves  a  thorough  knowledge  of 
the  practical  management  of  'bees,  and,  at  the  same  time,  of  recom- 
mending it  to  the  notice  of  their  people  by  precept  and  example.  Nor 
is  it  alone  in  respect  of  the  more  extended  good  which  they  may 
do  to  others  that  I  would  call  their  attention  to  this  subject,  but  also 
oir  account  of  the  peculiar  inte?est  -and  pleasure  which  they  themselves 
may  derive  from  it.  Independently  of  the  interest  which  attaches  to  the 
apiarian  art  from  economic  considerations,  and  the  pleasure  of  appro- 
priating to  one's  own  use  the  surplus  produce  of  bee  industry — a  plea- 
sure, by  the  way,  of  a  very  exquisite  kind,  as  every  bee  master  will 
bear  me  witness — it  merits,  as  a  branch  of  natural  history,  the  attention 
of  every  lover  of  nature,  and  the  curious  investigator  of  her  secret  things. 
There  is  still  so  much  mystery  attached  to  the  habits  of  the  bee,  and 
especially  to  the  internal  economy  of  the  hive,  that  the  scientific  study 
of  these  insects  affords  ample  scope  for  much  patient  and  hopeful  re- 
search. Supposing,  however,  that  the  whole  history  of  the  hive  bee 
had  been  opened  up  so  as  to  preclude  the  hope  of  further  discovery, 
there  is  quite  enough  in  the  simple  verification  of  the  discoveries  of 
others  to  interest  and  astonish  the  lover  of  nature.  In  every  way,  in- 
deed, the  study  of  bees  is  so  fascinating  and  instructive,  that  I  would 
gladly  induce  many  of  my  brethren  in  the  ministry  to  share  its  plea- 
sures with  me. 

Having  said  thus  much  on  the  subject  of  bee-keeping  generally,  by 
way  of  recommending  an  increased  attention  to  it,  let  me  say  a  few 
words  as  to  its  difficulties.  These  certainly  are  neither  few  nor  trifling, 
although  perfectly  easy  of  mastery  by  the  patient,  intelligent,  and  per- 
severing bee  owner.  The  less  he  can  lay  claim  to  this  complex  char- 
acter, the  greater  of  course  will  his  difficulties  become.  But  are  not  these 
qualifications  considered  necessary  to  success  in  every  branch  of  rural 
economy — I  may  say,  in  every  pursuit  of  life?  Did  one  ever  hear  of 
stupidity,  sloth,  or  inattention  succeeding  in  any  enterprise  of  whatever 


THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARBI    SEE    KEEPER.  5 

kind  ?  The  farmer  who  is  content  ■ndth  an  occasional  stroll  over  his 
fields,  and  a  similar  inspection  over  his  yards  and  granaries,  will  in 
vain  expect  to  thiive.  Can  we  wonder  at  the  iU  success  of  an  igno- 
rant or  negligent  bee  keeper  ?  And  yet  how  often  is  the  expression 
of  surprise  heard  from  the  Ups  of  some  individual  who  has  started  an 
apiary,  that  his  bees  have  disappointed  him ;  when,  if  particular  inquiries 
were  instituted  into  the  cause  of  the  disaster,  ten  to  one  it  would  be 
found  that  the  hives  had  been  left  unnoticed  from  October  to  May,  and 
from  May  to  October!  The  management  of  bees,  which  always  re- 
quh-es  some  delicacy,  and  not  a  little  dexterity  of  treatment,  assuredly 
demands  no  less  attention  and  care  than  other  matters  of  a  similar  nature. 
A  considerable  apprenticeship  is  necessary  in  order  to  obtain  the  mastery 
over  it  as  a  science.  There  is  no  "  royal  road"  to  successful  bee-keep- 
ing, as  there  is  none  in  any  thing  else.  ,In  his  preface  to  his  very 
useful  book,  Mr.  Taylor  has  well  styled  the  tyro  apiarian's  path,  "  usu- 
ally a  rough  and  uncertain  one;"  so  rough,  indeed,  and  uncertain, 
(chiefly  owing  to  a  lack  of  care  and  pains,)  that  three  out  of  every  five 
I^ersous,  who  take  up  this  study  even  warmly,  will  be  found  to  reUn- 
quish  it  with  disgust  at  the  end  of  a  few  years.  Not  to  dwell  here  on 
faults  of  management,  there  are  other  causes  of  failure,  almost  peculiar  to 
this  country,  a  few  of  which  I  may  briefly  enumerate.  "While  in  America 
or  Australia,*  it  is  almost  incredible  of  how  large  an  apiary  one  hive 
may  become  the  parent  in  a  very  few  years ;  in  England,  a  similar  hive 
may  stand  year  after  year,  without  change,  apparently  strong,  yet  un- 
productive in  either  swarms  or  honey,  perhaps  in  both  together.  A  stock, 
at  the  time  of  purchase,  may  have  had  a  three  or  four-year-old  queen, 
(an  evil  which  is  seldom  acknowledged,  and  still  more  seldom  guarded 
against,)  who  dies  some  time  in  our  long  winter  before  there  is  a  brood 
wherewith  to  replace  her ;  the  winter  may  be  mild  and  the  spring  cold 
and  late,  and  no  honey  gathered  till  the  end  of  May,  whence  proceeds 
the  death  from  starvation  of  many  a  colony  of  bees,  (which  might  be 
saved  by  a  judicious  and  timely  supply  of  food,)  or  its  productiveness 
for  the  current  season  destroyed.  A  rainy  summer,  too,  may  foUow, 
or  a  very  dry  one,  neither  of  which  yields  much  honey ;  in  short,  a 


*  In  a  late  work  on  New  South  Wales,  I  read  the  following  astonishing  account  of  the 
produce  of  a  single  stock  of  bees  : — '  In  the  district  Illawarra,  near  Sydney,  one  hive  haisbeen 
known  to  multiply  itself  to  300  (  1 1  )  in  tlie  course  of  three  years  !' 


6  THE  COTTAGE  AND  FARM  EEE  KEEPER, 

thousand  are  the  casualties  to  be  feared  in  this  fitful  climate,  with 
which  the  more  fortunate  bee  keeper  of  other  countries  is  happily  un- 
acquainted. Say  then,  whether  it  is  reasonable  to  expect  success  in 
the  face  of  these  difficulties,  where  a  considerable  skill  and  much  per- 
severing watchfulness  are  not  present  to  meet  and  counteract  them  ? 
To  be  successful  in  bee-keeping,  there  must  be  a  sufficient  experience 
in  bee  management,  whether  derived  from  a  practical  acquaintance 
Avith  the  subject,  or  from  a  diligent  study  of  the  best  manuals  of  yistruc- 
tion  in  the  matter ;  it  is  requisite  to  be  thoroughly  initiated  in  the 
mysteries  of  judicious  feeding,  and  to  understand  somewhat  of  that 
improved  system  of  bee  culture,  by  whose  means  the  great  honey  har- 
vests are  secured  at  those  rare  but  favored  seasons  when  they  occur, 
and  the  most  is  made  of  indifferent  years ;  while  at  the  same  time  the 
acquisitive  propensity  is  kept  duly  in  check,  so  that  if  much  is  iahen 
as  legitimate  spoil,  enough  shall  still  be  left  to  support  the  prosperity  of 
the  hive.  Difficult,  however,  as  unquestionably  is  the  science  of  bee- 
keeping, it  is  not  beyond  the  reach  of  attentive  perseverance ;  and 
the  very  difficulties,  as  iu  most  cases,  only  serve  to  enhance  the  pleas- 
sure  and  gratification  of  the  patient  bee  master.  It  has  been  judi- 
ciously observed,  that  "  no  one  who  pays  a  fair  amount  of  attention  to 
the  management  of  those  very  interesting  insects  will  willingly  rehn- 
quish  the  keeping  of  them."  Carelessness  and  indifference  alone  find 
the  difficulties  to  which  I  have  alluded  insurmountable,  and  I  take  leave 
to  say  they  deserve  to  do  so. 


CHAPTER  II. 

OF  THE  ESTABLISHMENT  OF  AN  APIARY,  CHOICE  OF  A  SITUATION, 
AND  REQUISITES  FOR  ITS  WELFARE. 

There  are  some  parts  of  England  where,  it  is  to  be  feared,  the  utmost 
attention  to  bee-keeping  can  meet  with  only  very  partial  success.  In 
such  places,  it  is  but  once,  perhaps,  in  four  or  five  years  that  anything 
like  a  fan-  harvest  of  honey  is  obtained.  It  may  be  asked,  therefore, 
is  it  worth  while  encountering  the  many  vexations  and  discourage- 
ments of  the  intermediate  years,  for  the  sake  of  this  inadequate,  and 
only  occasional,  remuneration  ?  This  is  a  question,  of  course,  for  every 
intenchng  bee  keeper  to  answer  for  himself.  Having  myself  kept  bees 
for  about  seven  j^ears  in  a  locaUty  of  this  kind,  I  can  speak  feehngly 
of  the  disappointment  and  loss  occasioned  by  it.  In  all  that  time,  I 
never  had  the  good  fortune  to  obtain  a  single  pound  of  honey  by  fair 
moans ;  and  what  I  did  obtain,  at  the  cost  of  a  hive's  sacrifice,  was  both 
poor  in  quality  and  insignificant  in  quantity.  Nor  was  my  case  at  all 
singular  in  this  respect,  my  neighbors  to  a  man  complaining  of  the  like 
ill  success,  in  spite  of  attention  and  pains  bestowed,  without  grudging. 
I  was  in  consequence  very  nearly  giving  up  the  piu-suit,  as  many  oth- 
ers had  done  before  me,  although  not  reputed  to  be  readily  daunted 
by  mishaps.  My  advice,  therefore,  to  every  aspiring  bee  keeper,  who 
can  assure  himself  that  the  locality  in  which  he  happens  to  reside  is 
of  this  nature,  is  this :  to  let  hee-Tieeping  alone.  Happily,  however,  such 
instances  of  very  bad  locahty  are  rare.  Most  places  will  at  least  amply 
repay  the  labor  and  cost  of  estabUshing  an  apiary ;  while  some  few 
highly-favored  districts  will  yield  astonishing  suppUes  of  the  most  de- 
hcious  nectar.  Whoever  happens  to  reside  in  the  vicinity  of  large 
woods,  heaths,  or  commons,  or  still  better,  within  reach  of  aU  these 
together,  may  ron.=iider  himself  especially  fortunate.  A  broken  coun- 
try, however — by  which  I  mean  a  country  devoted  to  no  particular 


8  THE  COTTAGE  AND  FAUM  BEE  KEEPER. 

branch  of  husbandry — is  not  far  inferior,  where  water,  woods,  and 
meadows  divide  the  land  between  them. 

The  question  being  settled,  "  to  be  or  not  to  be,"  as  regards  the  es- 
tablishment of  an  apiary ;  next  are  to  be  considered  sundry  necessaria 
to  its  well-being,  wliich,  for  facihty  of  reference  and  conciseness,  I 
have  drawn  up  in  a  set  of  rules,  gleaned  for  the  most  part  from  a  vari- 
ety of  sources,  both  ancient  and  modern,  at  the  same  time  attested  by 
my  OAvn  experience  or  approval.  They  have  reference  in  general  to 
the  requisites  of  every  kind  of  apiary,  but  are  drawn  up  for  the  more 
especial  instruction  of  those  who  prefer  the  use  of  the  cottage  liive, 
standing  in  the  open  air.  I  think  it  unnecessary  to  dwell  upon  the 
subject  of  pasturage,  which  has  been  fully  treated  of  by  other  writers, 
because  nothing  but  supplying  it,  (if  it  must  be  supplied  artificially,) 
on  a  large  scale  is  of  any  material  advantage  to  the  prosperity  of  an 
apiary.  'White  clover  and  huckwheat,  (the  latter  of  which  is  excellent 
food  for  poultry,)  may  be  sown  largely  with  double  advantage — clover 
more  especially,  as  sheep  and  cattle  are  extremely  fond  of  it ;  also  the 
more  laurustinus  about  a  house  the  better  for  early  spring-feeding; 
but,  beyond  this,  I  would  recommend  no  especial  provision  for  the 
apiary,  as  the  land  so  occupied  may  be  cultivated  to  a  much  better 
advantage.     To  proceed,  then. 

1.  AU  out-door  bee  hives  of  wood  or  straw  must  be  placed  in  a 
woll-sheltered  situation.  A  garden  in  a  valley,  well  protected  on  all 
sides  from  the  effect  of  liigh  winds,  undoubtedly  ranks  among  the  first 
of  bee  localities ;  but  it  is  of  little  importance  Avhere  the  apiary  is  sit- 
uated, so  that  it  be  not  in  a  damp  spot,  nor  exposed  to  the  fury  of  high 
winds  from  any  quarter.  These  last  are  especially  detrimental  to  the 
prosperity  of  an  apiary,  those  more  particularly  which  blow  from  the 
southwest,  round  by  north,  to  northeast,  and  east. 

2.  It  is  of  less  consequence  that  the  hives  be  warmly  situated  in 
■svinter,  than  that  they  be  screened  from  the  morning  sun  in  the  very 
early  spring,  and  from  the  fierce  noonday  heat  of  summer  and  autumn. 
This  is  most  injurious,  although  but  Httle  attention  has  been  paid  to 
the  matter  generally.  Therefore,  by  all  means  let  them  be  protected, 
if  possible,  by  some  verandah  or  screen  from  the  sun's  rays.  In  this 
case,  the  best  aspect  for  them  is  undoubtedly  the  southeast  or  south. 
If,  however,  they  cannot  be  thus  conveniently  and  effectually  shaded, 
the  hives  must  be  set  at  the  back  side  of  a  high  wall  or  fence  of  trees, 


THE    COTTAGE    AXD    FARM    BEE    KEEPER.  9 

facing  eastward  or  "westward — the  latter  aspect,  I  tbiuk  the  best  of  the 
two.  So  much  alive  are  some  apiarians  to  this  evil,  that  they  prefer 
tm-ning  their  hives  with  a  point  to  the  north ;  nay,  it  has  been  pro- 
posed, (and  with  a  show  of  reason,)  to  keep  them  always  facing  the 
direct  north.  In  then*  natural  state,  we  know  bees  seek  a  uniform 
temperature,  by  burying  themselves  deep  in  the  hearts  of  forests, 
where  the  sun's  rays  seldom,  if  ever,  penetrate.  Their  own  restless 
activity  keeps  them  ahve  enough  in  summer,  while  they  are  so  snugly 
housed  in  winter  as  seldom  to  be  induced  to  sally  forth ;  hence  arises 
this  further  advantage,  that  they  prey  but  Uttle  on  their  stores.  It 
cannot  be  too  urgently  recommended  to  keep  the  hives  as  cool  as  pos- 
sible in  the  late  spring  and  summer,  for  it  will  be  found  as  a  general 
rule,  that,  in  proportion  as  this  be  carefully  attended  to,  the  swarms 
■will  be  stronger,  the  bees  more  vigorous  and  indefatigable  in  the  col- 
lection of  honey,  and  the  honey  itself  more  wholesome  and  pure.  It 
may  seem  paradoxical  to  recommend  coolness  of  situation,  when  it  is 
at  the  same  time  fully  acknowledged  that  heat  is  the  great  promoter 
of  early  and  vigorous  swarming ;  yet  the  advice  is  not  the  less  based 
upon  sound  reason  and  experience.  It  is  true,  some  bee  keepers  re- 
move all  cover  from  their  hives  in  a  hot  May  or  June  sun,  with  a  view 
expressly  to  compel  early  swarming ;  I  have  done  so  myself  in  the 
days  of  my  noviciate ;  nothing,  however,  can  be  conceived  more  fatal 
than  such  a  proceeding.  The  queen  will  leave  the  liive  very  Uttle 
sooner  for  such  treatment — certainly  it  cannot  expedite  the  birth  of 
royal  issue  a  single  moment — but  the  harm  done  to  the  hive's  pros- 
perity is  incalculable.  Before  swarming  takes  place  under  such  cir- 
cumstances, the  queen  bee  and  her  subjects  wiU  long  have  been  griev- 
ously incommoded ;  the  process  of  breeding  will  have  been  hindered ; 
many  of  the  grubs  will  have  perished,  or  at  least  thousands  of  eggs 
become  abortive ;  while  certainly  no  addition  will  have  been  made  to 
the  stores  of  honey,  if  the  combs  do  not  actually  give  way  under  the 
influence  of  the  unusual  heat.  Thus  tlie  issuing  swarm  must  needs 
be  weak,  and  the  old  hive  from  which  it  issued  impoverished  in  every 
way.  This,  therefore,  I  lay  down  as  a  rule  of  sound  doctrine,  that 
internal  heat,  arising  from  an  over-crowded  population,  is  alone  pro- 
ductive of  prosperity  in  the  economy  of  bee  management.* 

*  See  Appendix,  Note  A. 


10  THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE   KEEPER. 

3.  Every  hive  should  have  its  own  stand  and  single  pedestal ;  that 
is,  a  pedestal  and  board  on  the  top,  firmly  nailed  to  it,  distinct  from 
the  bottom  board  of  the  hive.  The  pedestal  itself  may  be  of  pine, 
slightly  charred  where  it  enters  the  ground,  and  its  top  of  stout  inch 
oak.  I  advise  the  use  of  a  separate  bottom  board  for  each  hive,  for 
faciUty  of  weighing,  cleansing,  &c.  Mr.  Taylor  has  given  a  useful  hint 
for  those  who  would  dispense  with  tliis  second  board  at  page  30  of  his 
Bee  Keeper's  Manual.  He  recommends  a  square-topped  pedestal,  and 
advises  the  construction  of  a  sort  of  cap,  made  of  pieces  of  wood 
nailed  to  the  under  side  of  the  bottom  board,  so  as  to  fit  on  the  top 
of  the  pedestal.  A  screw,  passing  through  one  of  the  sides  of  this 
cap  into  the  pedestal,  secures  the  board  with  the  hive  upon  it.  If  this 
plan  be  adopted  of  securing  the  hive,  let  every  cap  or  socket  of  every 
board,  as  well  as  every  pedestal,  be  of  exactly  the  same  size,  so  as  to 
allow  of  the  boards  being  shifted,  as  occasion  may  require,  from  one 
pedestal  to  another.  To  those,  hoAvever,  who  may  be  disposed  to  fol- 
low the  plan  of  management  detailed  in  the  following  pages,  I  doubt 
not  the  use  of  a  second  board  to  every  hive  will  appear  more  advan- 
tageous.    A  friend  of  mine  has  constructed  a  very  neat,  and  indeed 

ornamental,  stand  in  his  garden,  consisting 
of  a  post  let  into  the  ground,  having  two 
pieces  of  Avood  arranged  crosswise  on  the 
top,  in  the  manner,  as  seen  in  the  adjoining 
sketch.  A  couple  of  screws  would  secure 
^^l^?~  the  hive  from  accident,  if  passed  through 
the  board  into  the  bars.  Wliile  on  the 
subject  of  hive  boards,  let  me  urge  the  advantage  of  carefully  ascer- 
taining the  weight  of  every  article  of  bee  furniture,  (as  liives,  boards, 
&c.,)  and  marking  the  weight  legibly  on  each,  so  as  to  be  able  at  any 
moment  to  ascertain  the  weight  of  the  contents  of  every  liive.  This 
will  save  much  trouble. 

4.  As  a  general  rule,  there  ought  to  be  a  space  of  three  feet,  at  least, 
between  the  hives  as  they  stand  together  in  a  row ;  or,  to  suit  the 
plan  of  management  hereafter  to  be  described,  each  prime  swarm  tif 
the  year  had  better  stand  within  a  foot  and  a  half  of  its  parent  hive, 
at  its  side ;  every  two  hives  so  placed  standing  as  a  duett,  (if  I  may  so 
call  it,)  at  a  distance  of  four  feet  from  the  neighboring  hives.  Hives 
BO  managed  would  occupy  about  the  same  space  in  an  apiary  as  if  they 


THE    COTTAGE    AXD    FARM    BEE    KEEPER.  11 

stood  individually  three  feet  apart  from  each  other.  I  advise  tliis  for 
the  manifest  advantage  wliich  will  accrue  at  the  time  of  the  autumnal 
harvest,  when  the  bees  out  of  one  hive,  on  plundering  it,  may  be  saved 
and  united  to  the  adjoining  stock,  at  the  least  possible  waste  of  bee 
life,  and  without  creating  a  confusion  in  the  apiary.  A  good  height 
from  the  gi'ouud  is  sixteen  inches.  Not  too  many  stocks  should  stand 
together  in  the  same  place ;  from  eight  to  ten  hives  are  sufficient  ibr 
one  locaUty.  WTiere  more  liives  are  kept,  the  apiary  should  be  divi- 
ded into  two  or  more  parts,  as  widely  sepai'ated  as  possible.  "Where 
bees  are  domiciled  too  closely  together,  and  in  too  many  families,  much 
confusion  is  apt  to  be  created  at  swarming  time,  when  the  agitation 
wliich  one  hive  occasions  during  the  process  of  swarming,  not  seldom 
communicates  itself  to  the  others. 

5.  It  is  of  the  utmost  importance  tliat  water  be  at  hand,  especially 
in  spring,  when  bees  consume  great  quantities  of  it.  In  very  dry 
weather,  it  is  almost  essential  to  the  existence  of  an  apiary,  that  it  be 
suppUed  artificially,  if  there  are  no  rippling  streams  or  other  suitable 
waters  at  hand.  Some  large  pans  filled  with  stones  and  water,  and 
covered  witli  moss  or  sticks,  for  the  bees  to  alight  upon  and  drink  with 
safety,  should  be  placed  near  the  hives.  Wliile,  however,  water  is  so 
essential,  the  vicinity  of  rivers  or  large  ponds,  or  sheets  of  water,  is 
to  be  deprecated,  as  tending  to  endanger  the  hves  of  thousands  of 
these  valuable  insects  in  windy  or  showery  weather. 

6.  Keep  away  from  the  bees'  neighborhood  all  vermin  and  foul 
smells  of  every  kind.  Among  bee  pests  may  be  enumerated  pigs, 
(with  then"  sties,  and  all  dung  heaps,)  fowls,  mice,  slugs,  snails,  ants, 
hornets,  and  wasps.  Of  these,  the  latter  are  decidedly  the  most  formi- 
dable. The  vicinity  of  Hme  or  brick  kilns,  tan  yards,  gas  houses,  and 
ofiensive  premises  of  every  kind,  is  annoying  to  them. 

7.  The  garden  in  which  the  apiary  is  situated,  especially  in  fi:ont  and 
about  it,  should  be  well  stocked  with  low  shrubs  or  espaliers,  at  a 
convenient  distance,  backed,  if  possible,  by  taller  trees.  These  are, 
of  course,  requisite  to  allure  the  bees  at  swarming  time  to  settle  near 
home,  for  convenience  of  hiving,  instead  of  wandering  off,  as  they 
are  very  apt  to  do  when  the  coast  is  clear,  nobody  knows  whither. 

8.  A  well-mown  and  cleanly-kept  grass  plat,  or  a  gravel  walk,  affords 
a  capital  ground  for  the  hives  to  stand  upon.  They  should  not,  how- 
ever, be  far  distant  from  some  wall  or  thick  fence  in  the  rear ;    but 


12  THK  COTTAGE  AXD  FARM  BEE  KEEPER. 

there  must  ha  plenty  of  room  behind  for  the  performing  of  every  neces- 
sary operation. 

9.  No  dripping  of  trees,  nor  water  drops  from  the  eaves  of  houses, 
should  be  suflered  to  fall  upon,  nor  near  the  apiary ;  for  damp  is  of  aU 
things  perhaps  the  most  hurtful  to  bees.  It  may  be  asked,  "Why  not 
elevate  the  hives  at  a  greater  height  from  the  ground,  such  being  the 
case  ?  To  this  I  answer,  that  of  two  evils  the  lesser  is  chosen,  the 
stands  being  low  to  preserve  the  hives  from  the  effects  of  high  winds. 
No  long  grass  nor  tangled  weeds  of  any  kind,  no  cabbage  nor  lettuce 
jjlants,  should  be  suffered  to  grow  within  two  yards  of  an  apiary,  more 
particularly  in  front,  for  the  young  or  weak  bees  alighting  upon  them, 
wiU  fall  into  them  and  perish,  on  their  return  from  the  fields  in  cool 
weather. 

10.  Let  the  apiary  be  so  situated,  (in  the  last  place.)  as  to  be  in  full 
view  from  the  most  frequented  part  of  the  house,  for  the  instant  dis- 
covery and  remedy  of  accidents,  and  the  observation  of  rising  swarms. 
The  hives  had  also  better  be  removed  out  of  sight  of  a  highway,  to 
avoid  the  danger  of  their  bein":  stolen. 


TllK    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER .  13 


CHAPTER    III. 

OF  STOCKINa  THE   APIARY,  WITH  riRECTIONS  FOR   THE   PURCHASE 
OF  STOCKS   AMD  SWARMS. 

There  are  two  methods  of  stocking  an  apiary — by  swarms  purchased 
in  the  spring,  and  by  stock  hives,  bought  at  the  close  or  beginning  of 
the  year.  The  former,  as  being  the  cheapest,  will  ever  be  the  favorite 
method  resorted  to  by  cottagers.  To  be  worth  the  purchase,  a  swarm, 
which  7nitst  always  be  the  first  orp?v'me  swarm,  sliould  not  weigli  less 
than  four  pounds,  and  it  should  issue  from  the  parent  hive  not  later 
than  the  7th  or  8th  of  June,  [in  England] ;  for  every  week  after  that 
date,  eighteen  pence  or  a  half  crown,  (according  to  the  price  current 
of  a  swarm,)  must  be  deducted  from  its  value.  After  the  21st  of  June, 
it  is  not  worth  five  shUhngs,  unless  indeed  the  season  should  be  very 
fine,  and  the  swarm  very  large.  The  most  valuable  swarms,  perhaps, 
are  those  which  issue  early  in  the  fortnight  previous  to  the  7tli  of  that 
month ;  but,  of  course,  much  will  depend  ujion  the  season ;  for,  should  it 
be  late  and  unpropitious,  a  swarm  of  this  date  wiU  be  more  valuable  than 
one  which  issued  on  the  25th  of  May ;  while  in  some  forward  years,  a 
most  profitable  swarm  wUl  be  thrown  a  fortnight  earlier  than  this. 

If  possible,  in  the  purchase  of  a  swarm,  the  age  of  its  queen  should 
be  ascertained,  and  a  young  mother  selected.  The  best  swarms 
undoubtedly,  (casteris  paribus,)  are  those  which  proceed  from  two- 
year-old  stocks  of  large  size,  that  sent  out  a  swarm  the  previous  year ; 
because  it  is  certain  they  have  young  and  vigorous  queens,  and 
the  condition  of  the  parent  hive  is  eminently  favorable  still  to  the 
production  of  a  healthy  brood.  This  ad%ace,  as  every  well-instruct- 
ed apiarian  will  at  once  perceive,  is  based  upon  the  knowledge 
we  possess,  that  every  prime  swarm,  (the  exception  proves  the 
rule,)  is  led  forth  or  accompanied  by  the  old  queen,  who  in  so  doing 
vacates  her  throne  in  favor  of  one  of  the  shortly-expected  princess- 
es.    But  a  swarm  from  a  very  old  stock,  although  it  may  have  a  young 


14  THE    COTTAGE    AND    FAKM    BEE    KEEPER. 

queen,  is  carefully  to  he  rejected ;  for  the  bees  having  been  bred  for  the 
most  part  in  contracted  and,  perhaps,  vermin-eaten  cells,  will  be  gen- 
erall}^  found  of  small  size  and  insignificant  in  numbers.  Sufficient  at- 
tention is  very  seldom  paid  to  this  matter,  most  people  being  content 
with  any  ])vyvae  swarm  they  can  procure,  from  an  idea,  that  because 
it  is  a  prime  swarm,,  it  must  therefore  of  necessity  succeed ;  and  yet  it 
may  be  often  worthless,  as  containing  an  old  queen  of  say  three  or 
four  years  of  age,  who  will  very  probably  die  in  the  course  of  the  en- 
suing autumn  or  winter.  To  this  ignorance  are  to  be  attributed  most 
of  the  mishaps  and  ill  successes  of  bee-keeping.  I  am  aware  of  the  diffi- 
culty there  is,  in  the  present  low  condition  of  bee  science,  in  follow- 
ing tills  advice,  when  there  is  not  a  cottager  in  the  three  kingdoms 
but  would  stare,  on  being  asked  so,  (to  him,)  incomprehensible  a  ques- 
tion as  the  age  and  pedigree  of  his  queen  bees !  I  rather  throw  this 
out  as  a  hint  for  the  instruction  of  cottagers,  who  should  be  taught  the 
advantage  of  putting  down  in  a  book  the  date  of  issue  of  every  queen 
in  their  apiaries.  There  might  be  affixed  to  these  swarms  or  stocks  a 
regular  price  according  to  their  value.  Thus,  for  instance,  twenty-five 
shillings,  [.$6,]  would  not  be  too  much  to  ask  for  a  stock  in  the  spring 
that  has  well  survived  the  winter,  of  which  the  bees  are  in  full  vigor, 
and  the  weight  over  18  lbs.,  it  being  moreover  a  stock  of  two  years' 
standing,  tvhicli  swarmed  the  year  before.  No  one  who  was  aware  of 
the  value  of  such  a  stock  ought  to  grudge  giving  twenty-five  shiUings 
for  it.  It  might  be  considered  worth  a  pound  sterling  if  purchased 
before  the  winter.  Again,  a  current  year's  swarm,  which  proceeded 
from  a  stock  of  tliis  kind,  would  be  worth  full  fifteen  shilHngs,  if  it  is- 
sued before  the  1st  of  June,  and  even  later.  Other  swarms  and  stocks 
might  have  a  price  put  upon  them  in  proportion  to  their  individual 
value.  Such  a  plan  Avould  tend  to  reduce  bee  management  to  a  sys- 
tem, and  would  help  remove  many  of  its  uncertainties;  nor  is  it 
at  all  difficult  cither  to  acquire  a  knowledge  of  its  details,  or  to  impart 
the  same,  when  acquired,  to  others. 

As  to  the  other  method  of  stocking  an  apiary,  I  decidedly  prefer  the 
purchase  of  a  stock  hive  or  Jiives  in  the  autumn  or  spring,  especially  the 
latter ;  that  is,  about  March  or  April,  when  the  winter  is  safely  pas- 
sed. Independently,  however,  of  the  larger  sum  Avhich  is  usually  asked 
for  stocks  that  have  survived  the  winter,  it  is  often  difficult  to  get  them 
at  any  price,  as  the  cottagers  are  naturally  unwilling  to  diminish  their 


THE  COTTAGE  AND  FARM  BEE  KEEPER.  15 

stock  of  brood  hives  when  the  return  of  the  profitable  season  is  so 
near  at  hand,  thinned  as  they  not  seldom  are  by  the  casualties  of 
■nnnter,  besides  which  it  is  almost  cruel  to  tempt  them  to  do  so  even 
with  a  large  bribe.  And  yet  if  such  hives  can  be  bought  without 
scruple,  a  good  March  or  April-purchased  stock  ought  not  to  be  over- 
looked, on  account  of  the  more  speedy  and  large  return  which  may  be 
expected  from  it.  Should  it  be  found  necessary,  however,  to  com- 
mence with  autumn-purchased  hives,  as  will  generally  be  the  case,  let 
two  good  stocks  be  transferred *at  once  to  the  apiary;  this  will  give 
double  chance  of  success,  nor  wiU  the  loss  of  one  hive  the  following 
spring  be  felt  so  much,  if  its  fellow  survives  and  thrives  ad  libitum. 

If  the  commencing  bee  keeper  is  not  over  confident  in  his  own  ex- 
perience, which  he  will  do  well  not  to  be,  let  him  procure  the  assist- 
ance of  some  apiarian  friend  of  long  standing  and  tried  acquaintance 
with  the  whole  science  of  the  matter,  for  true  is  often  the  case  in  this 
instance  as  in  other  things — "  all  is  not  gold  that  gUtters ;"  of  this,  the 
"  gude  wives"  all  over  the  country  are  well  aware ;  and,  as  report  says, 
they  are  not  always,  (to  their  shame  be  it  spoken,)  anxious  to  do  to 
others  as  they  would  be  done  by,  not  seldom  will  they  take  grievous 
advantage  of  the  ignorance  of  a  novice.  If  such  an  experienced  friend 
is  not  to  be  found,  the  following  rules  will  be  found  useful  Where 
the  word  of  the  bee  merchant  is  at  all  to  be  depended  on,  let  the  age 
of  every  hive  and  queen  in  the  apiary  be  first  inquired  5,fler,  and  then 
proceed  to  the  examination. 

1.  A  prime  swarm  of  the  current  year  may  generally  be  known  by  its 
abundant  population,  the  completeness  of  its  works,  and  especially  by 
the  pale  brown  or  straw  colour  of  its  comb. 

2.  The  bees  must  be  vigorous  as  well  as  strong  in  numbers ;  while  they 
fill  up  well  the  interstices  between  the  combs,  they  must  be  on  the 
alert  and  waspish — ready,  I  mean,  to  resent  any  intrusion  or  attempt- 
ed approach  to  them.  On  a  fair  day,  at  either  season,  (but  especially 
in  the  spring,)  they  ought  to  play  in  and  out  of  their  hive  with  much 
activity,  by  far  the  greater  proportion  of  them  being  seen,  (at  least  in 
spring,)  to  re-enter  the  hive  with  well-laden  thighs.  This  is  in  itself 
almost  decisive,  being  an  unfailing  criterion  of  the  present  vigor  of  a 
hive. 

3.  If  a  current  year  sivarm,  the  stock  should  not  weigh  less  than  23 
lbs.  or  2i  lbs.,  exclusive  of  hive,  at  or  soon  after  Michaelmas,  [September 


16  THE  COTTAGE  AND  FARM  BEE  KEEPER. 

29th].  If  bought  about  Lady  day,  [March  25th,]  it  should  weigh  at 
least  16  lbs.  of  contents.  A  two-yeai'-old  stock  should  weigh  a  pound 
or  two  more. 

When  a  sivarm  is  to  commence  an  apiary,  let  the  hive  in  which  it  is 
to  be  placed  be  sent  some  time  previously  to  the  bee  keeper  with 
whom  the  purchaser  is  in  treaty.  It  ought  also  to  be  located  on  its 
destined  stand  in  the  apiary  on  the  evening  of  the  day  on  which  it 
issued  from  the  parent  hive.  In  the  transport  of  a  stock,  (should  such 
be  bought,)  great  care  is  requisite  to  ^gyent  concussion,  lest  any  of 
the  combs  should  break  down.  Where  these  are  fresh,  the  danger, 
of  course,  is  greatest.  They  may  l?e  removed  at  any  time  between 
Michaelmas  and  Lady  day.  The  greater  the  distance  from  which  a 
stock  is  brought,  the  less  chance  there  is  of  the  bees  wandering  back  to 
their  old  haunts  and  there  perishing. 


THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    DEE    KEEPER.  17 


CHAPTER     IV. 

OF  STRAW  COTTAGE  HIVES— THEIR  SHAPE,  SIZE,  AND  CONSTRUCTION. 

The  bee  master,  who  has  safely  reared  an  autumn-purchased  stock 
through  the  ■winter,  or  procured  one  in  the  spring,  as  well  as  the  cot- 
tager who  is  on  the  look  out  for  an  early  swarm,  will,  with  the  arrival 
of  April,  be  making  preparations  for  suitably  accommodating  with 
liive  room  the  expected  addition  to  their  cares.  The  old  cottage  bell 
hive  it  will  be  well  to  discard  altogether,  as  being  wholly  unsuited  to 
an  improved  and  profitable  system  of  bee  management  Wliat  kind 
of  bee  domicile,  however,  shall  be  substituted  in  its  place  is  a  matter 
of  some  difficulty  to  determine,  owing  to  the  multitude  and  the  varie- 
ty of  liives  which  one  author  and  another  have  put  forward  with  aU 
the  earnestness  of  self-recommendatory  enthusiasm.  Most  apiarians 
have  each  their  own  favorite  hive — favorite,  because  in  some  way  or 
other  modified  and  improved  according  to  their  peculiar  fancy.  Of  all 
that  I  have  either  seen  or  heard  of,  the  most  suitable  for  cottagers  on 
the  ground  of  cheapness  and  simphcity,  is,  I  think,  !Mr.  Payne's  hive. 
I  have  but  one  objection  to  it,  on  the  score  of  size.  It  is,  I  think  too 
small  for  single  stock  hives,  kept  for  swarming  purposes,  and  too  large 
for  a  doubled  or  storified  colony.  For  the  former,  I  would  recommend, 
instead  of  twelve  inches  in  diameter  by  nine  inches  high,  not  less  than 
fifteen  inches  in  diameter,  inside  measure,  by  eight  inches  high.  This 
size  will  do  for  any  kind  of  system,  where  strong  swarms  are  an  object 
of  attainment. 

For  myself,  as  wiU  be  seen  in  the  plan  of  bee  management  explain- 
ed in  the  follo-wnng  chapter,  I  aim  at  separating  the  breeding  from  the 
remunerating  business  of  the  apiary,  by  encouraging  the  process  of 
breeding  in  one  hive  of  large  size,  (which  hive  is  kept  on  from  year 
to  year   for  this  purpose  alone,)    and  the   harvesting  of  lioney   in 

B 


18  THE    COTTAGE     AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER. 

another  dwelling  composed  of /u'o  hives,  each  individually  smaller  than 
the  other,  though  collectively  larger.  In  this  way,  as  soon  as  the 
stock  hive  has  thrown  off  its  prime  swarm,  it  is  put  in  this  doubled 
hive,  and  suffered  to  remain  till  autumn,  when  the  bees  are  driven 
from  it,  and  returned  again  to  the  hive  whence  they  issued  earlier  in 
the  season,  while  the  entire  contents  become  the  spoil  of  the  bee 
master.  For  this  second  or  spoliation  hive,  (as  I  call  it,)  I  recom- 
mend a  size  of  eleven  inches  in  diameter  by  nine  inches  in  depth ;  that 
is,  (where  the  two  hives  are  put  together,)  of  eleven  inches  in  dianie- 
ter  by  eighteen  inches  in  height,  which  makes  it  considerably  larger 
than  the  breeding  hive.  I  prefer  two  hives  to  one  large  one,  because 
it  favors  the  storing  of  a  purer  kind  of  honey,  (in  the  upper  part,  at 
least,)  than  if  it  were  all  laid  up  in  the  same  hive,  to  every  part  of 
which  the  queen  mother  has  free  access  for  laying  eggs ;  otherwise,  I 
would  recommend  a  size  of  seventeen  or  eighteen  inches  by  twelve 
for  a  single  spoliation  hive.  The  swarm  put  into  this  hiva  is  encour- 
aged to  increase  itself  to  the  greatest  possible  size,  (which  the  large 
dimensions  of  the  parent  hive  tend  to  favor,)  before  its  issue,  after 
which,  all  casts  are  returned,  and  the  old  hive,  with  a  new  queen,  suf- 
fered to  enrich  itself  for  another  year. 

The  material  of  which  all  hives  of  straw  should  be,  if  possible,  con- 
structed, is  sound  unthreshed  rye  straw,  the  universal  testimony  of  all 
bee  writers  justly  recommending  it.  Let  the  hives  be  made  rather 
stouter  than  usual,  especially  if  they  are  to  stand  in  a  cold  situation — 
one  inch  and  a  half  thick  is  not  too  much,  well  and  tightly  bound  to- 
gether. The  boards  upon  which  these  hives  rest  must  be  of  stout  inch 
or  one-and-a-half-inch  stuff,  and  they  will  be  of  two  sizes,  agreeing 
with  the  dimensions  of  the  stocks  to  be  placed  on  them ;  but  each 
board  should  project  at  least  one  inch  beyond  the  hive  in  every  direc- 
tion, being  planed  to  a  slope  three  inches  all  round  for  carrying  off  the 
water.  Moreover,  the  lowest  band  in  every  hive  should  be  worked 
upon  a  hoop  of  wood  of  as  nearly  as  possible  the  same  thickness.*  In 
this  case,  the  entrance  way  may  be  cut  in  it,  three  eighths  of  an 
inch  high,  (rather  more  than  less,)  and  four  inches  M'ide;  otherwise,  the 


*  Care  must  be  taken,  in  affixing  this  hoop,  not  to  increase  the  height  of  the  interior 
space  of  the  hives  beyond  the  eight  or* nine  inches  respectively.  Allowance  must  therefore 
be  made  for  it  on  first  constructing  a  hive. 


THE  COTTAGE  AXD  FARM  BEE  KEEPER.  19 

entrance  might,  and  I  think  mth  greater  advantage,  be  grooved  out 
of  the  floor  board  itself,  having  a  gradual  ascent  into  the  middle  of  the 
hive.  The  "wooden  hoop  recommended  above  "  gives  greater  stabiUty 
to  the  hive,  (says  Mr.  Taj'lor,)  preserves  the  lower  edge  from  decay, 
and  aflfords  facihty  in  removing  it" — all  weighty  reasons  in  its  favor. 

Some  persons  will  probably  object  to  the  larger  hive  on  accoimt  of 
its  size.  I  am,  however,  perfectly  con\4nced*  that  large  hives  are  fa- 
vorable to  the  production  of  large  swarms,  without  the  securing  of 
which  no  apiary  can  be  reputed  as  weU  conducted,  neither  certainly 
can  it  be  profitable.  To  all  who  are  disposed  to  dispute  it,  I  say,  give 
large  hives  a  fair  trial,  and  they  will  ftilly  agree  with  me. 

*  See  Appendix,  Note  B. 


CHAPTER    V. 

THE  COTTAGE  SYSTEM  OF   BEE   MANAGEMENT    IN    THE    OPEN  AIR, 

It  is  my  intention  in  this  chapter  to  follow  through  two  years  of  his 
experience  the  fortunes  of  some  imaginary  bee  keeper,  of  the  cottager 
class,  who  is  supposed  to  have  been  weU  instructed  in  my  pecuhar  plan. 
If  I  shall  seem  prohx  and  over  minute,  I  must  crave  the  indulgence  of  the 
kind  reader,  who  wiU,  I  trust,  bear  with  me,  a  principal  object  in  this 
chapter  being  the  complete  guidance  of  the  novice  in  the  somewhat 
deUcate  manipulations  necessary  to  success  in  this  matter.  I  have 
been  greatly  surprised  at  the  idea  of  mystery  which  many  persons 
seem  to  attach  to  the  simplest  of  bee  operations,  as  well  as  at  the 
amount  of  courage  thought  requisite  by  not  a  few  in  approacliing  bees. 
With  respect  to  the  latter,  I  am  bound  to  confess  there  are  few  per- 
sons more  afraid  of  these  insects  than  myself,  and  yet  I  have  obtained 
a  perfect  command  over  them,  as  witness  the  success  of  my  experi- 
ments. The  fact  is,  knowing  from  experience  that  I  am  never  safe 
from  an  attack,  I  take  care  always  to  be  well  protected  against  their 
stings ;  and  this  is  the  secret  of  my  coolness  and  daring  in  conducting 
any,  however  difficult,  process,  of  bee  management.  Should  any  of 
my  readers  labor  under  a  similar  fear  of  bees'  stings,  let  me  suggest  to 
them  the  use  of  a  bee  dress,  which  wiU  render  them  proof  against  all 
possible  attack  from  any  number  of  these  insects,  otherwise  so  justly 
formidable.  As  to  mystification,  I  have  yet  to  learn  wherein  it  con- 
sists. There  are  many  persons,  however,  so  extremely  simple,  so  ut- 
terly "  lost  for  want  of  hints,"  that  unless  everything  be  explained  in  the 
minutest  manner,  it  does  not  fail  to  wear  an  appearance  of  mystery  in 
their  eyes.  To  such  persons,  I  address  myself  in  tliis  particular  chapter. 
First  year . — Let  us  suppose,  then,  that  our  commencing  bee  mas- 
ter, having  purchased  a  stock*  in  March  or  April,  or  in  the  preceding 

*  I  do  not  notice  the  case  of  a  cottager  who  may  haTe  commenceJ  his  apiary  by  the 
purchase  of  a  swarm,  as  he  will  learn  from  the  second  year's  treatment  of  the  apiary,  as 
given  further  on,  everything  requisite  for  him  to  know  in  the  matter. 


THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER.  21 

autumn,  (which  has  survived  the  perils  of  the  -winter,)  has  the  gratifi- 
cation of  beholding,  after  some  patience,  the  issue  of  a  fine  swarm  on 
a  sunny  morning  in  May.  No  sooner  is  it  settled,  (which  was  none 
the  speedier  for  his  "  tanging,"  should  he  have  resorted  to  that  primi- 
tive and  enhghtened  practice,)  than  he  proceeds,  with  his  bee  dress 
on,  to  the  bush  or  ti'ee  on  which  the  bees  have  aUghted,  whence  he 
sweeps  them,  with  a  goose  wing,  or  with  his  gloved  hand,  into  a  honey- 
smeared  hive  of  the  larger  kind,  (as  recommended  in  the  last  chapter,) 
whose  weight  ought  previously  to  have  been  carefully  ascertained. 

Now  if  this  swarm  issued  early,  say  on  or  before  the  25th  of  May, 
it  were  best  to  return  it  at  once  to  the  parent  hive,  after  destroying  its 
queen,  unless  indeed  it  be  ascertained  of  a  certainty  that  her  age  does 
not  exceed  two  full  years ;  though  even  here  I  should  feel  disposed 
to  get  rid  of  her  to  make  way  for  a  youug  queen,  as  there  is  no  doubt 
whatever  that  the  queen  bee  is  in  her  prime  for  breeding  the  second 
year  of  her  existence,  after  which  her  vigor  sensibly  declines.  While, 
therefore,  she  may  readily  be  suffered  without  hazard  to  five  over  a 
third  spring,  it  is,  I  think,  far  more  profitable  to  keep  up  a  succession 
of  royalty  in  its  prime  only,  by  getting  rid  of  the  old  queen  every  year. 
It  may  seem  a  difficult  operation  to  catch  and  destroy  a  queen,  where- 
as, in  truth,  aU  that  is  required  is  a  cool  and  fearless  temper,  (wliich  a 
bee  di'ess  ought  to  give,)  a  good  pair  of  eyes,  and  a  quick  but  steady 
hand.  The  delay  in  swarming  wiU  not  be  great  nor  injurious,  while  the 
greatest  possible  advantage  wUl  accrue  from  this  treatment,  not  only 
in  securing  the  inestimable  advantage  of  a  young  queen,  who  will  be 
in  her  prime  the  following  spring,  but  also  in  the  increased  jpopidation 
that  will  he  added  to  the  swarm  on  its  second  issue.  I  lay  great  stress 
upon  this  advantage,  as  it  is  a  main  feature  of  my  system  that  the 
prime  swarm  should  be,  if  possible,  twice  as  large  as  such  swarms 
usually  are.  The  process  of  catching  the  old  queen,  and  returning  the 
swarm,  is  extremely  simple  and  interesting.  It  is  as  follows: — First, 
the  new  swarm  having  been  temporarily  hived  in  the  ordinary  way,  is 
quietly  placed  on  a  stool  or  table  as  near  as  possible  to  the  place  where 
it  alighted,  taking  care  to  shade  it  effectually  from  the  sun,  after  which 
the  bee  master  hastens  to  the  old  hive,  and  blocks  up  the  entrance  hole 
by  means  of  a  piece  of  list  wound  round  the  hive,  (tied  in  a  bow,)  so  that 
not  a  bee  may  pass  in  nor  out.     A  httle  space  should  be  left,  perhaps, 


22  THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER. 

for  the  admission  of  air,  by  thrusting  a  few  bits  of  slate  beneath  the 
edge  of  the  hive.  This  done,  a  sheet  or  table  cloth  is  spread  on  the 
ground  in  a  shady  place,  not  less  than  tliree  yards  distant,  (though  not 
too  far,)  from  the  old  hive.  Next  the  hive  is  brought,  in  which  the 
new  swarm  has  been  temporarily  located,  and  its  contents  dashed  out 
upon  the  middle  of  the  sheet  by  a  sudden  and  smart  blow  or  two  on 
its  top.  The  bees  thus  exposed  to  view — startled,  as  well  they  may, 
by  the  rude  treatment  they  have  received — appear  confused  and  almost 
stupified,  and  seem  scarcely  disposed  to  move.  Noiu  is  the  time  to 
search  for  the  queen,  and  the  more  eyes  the  better;  scrutinise  the  mass 
carefully,  seek  everywhere,  examine  with  a  smaU  stick  or  spoon  every 
heap  of  bees  which  seems  larger  than  another,  until  the  person  of 
majesty  is  secured.  If,  on  being  knocked  out  of  the  hive,  the  bees  take 
wing,  (which  however  will  rarely,  if  ever,  be  the  case,  where  the  oper- 
ation is  conducted  in  the  shade,)  the  whole  swarm  will  return  to  the 
old  stock,  (their  flying  elsewhere  is  now  inconceivable,)  where  they  will 
congregate  in  a  large  cluster  near  the  entrance,  vainly  endeavoring  to 
get  admission,  owing  to  the  impediment  of  the  list  bandage.  Ilere,  then, 
the  apiator  comes,  and  searches  everywhere  among  the  living  mass 
until  successful  in  his  search.  As  soon  as  the  queen  is  caught,  let  him 
quit  the  scene  of  operation  instantly,  and  either  destroy  her  at  once, 
or  put  her  under  a  glass  or  tumbler  inverted,  together  with  a  few 
workers ;  she  would  prove  an  invaluable  boon  to  the  weak  hive  of 
some  neighboring  cottager,  if  not  too  old.  Eeturning  'then  quickly  to 
the  garden,  the  bee  master  loosens  the  hst  bandage,  if  somebody  else 
have  not  done  this  already,  and  permits  to  the  outlying  bees  free  ac- 
cess to  their  ancient  home,  into  which  they  will  speedily  enter.  At 
first,  they  will  be  somewhat  restless,  but  everything  will  have  become 
tranquil  long  before  night,  the  bees  consoling  themselves  the  more 
readily  for  the  loss  of  their  queen,  with  the  prospect  of  a  speedy  issue 
of  royal  brood.  The  apiator  must  now  watch  carefuUy  for  the  second 
rising  of  the  swarm,  which  will  generally  take  -place  between  the  seventh 
and  tenth  day  after,  though  sometimel  sooner  or  later,  as  the  case  may 
be.  It  will  rise,  however,  with  greater  readiness  and  regularity  than 
the  first,  as  well  on  account  of  the  crowded  state  of  the  hive,  as  be- 
cause young  queens  are  known  to  be  less  dependent  on  the  weather 
than  the  old  ones.  When  risen  and  settled,  let  them  be  speedily  hived, 
as  before,    in  (heir   improved  permanent  building,  (a  large  hive  if  it 


THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEK    KEEPElt,  23 

is  to  be  kept  to  another  year,)  and  located  the  same  evening  on  their 
new  stand,*  at  a  distance  of  a  foot  and  a  half  from  the  joarent  stock. 
Should  the  season  be  at  all  propitious,  this  swarm  ought  to  weigh  from 
60  to  90  lbs,,  at  the  end  of  eight  weeks'  time,  and  yield  magnificent 
swarms  the  following  year. 

Should  it  be  ascertained,  however,  that  the  age  of  the  queen  bee 
does  not  exceed  two  full  years,  and  it  be  thought  desirable  that  she 
should  head  the  swarm,  or  if  the  swarm  should  issue  after  the  25  th 
of  May,  (in  wliich  case  the  prime  swarm  might  be  delayed  too  long 
if  the  queen  were  destroyed,)  -yvhen  the  bees  have  been  quietly  settled 
a  few  minutes  in  their  new  or  larger  hive,  let  the  old  hive  be  removed 
from  its  accustomed  stand  to  some  shady  and  remote  part  of  the  gar- 
den till  evening,  it  bein,g  there  tied  up,  and  its  inhabitants  kept  prison- 
ers until  then.  The  new  hive  should  now  be  put  upon  a  suitable 
board,  and  made  to  replace  the  old  hive.  The  object  of  tliis  proceeding 
is  the  strengthening  of  the  new  swarm  to  its  utmost  extent,  and  tho 
prevention  of  casting.  The  former  is  not  of  so  much  importance  the  first 
year  as  afterwards,  when,  the  apiary  having  attained  its  full  and  intend- 
ed size,  or  nearly  so,  these  prime  swarvxs  are  to  he  b^okeii  up  in  the  au- 
iumn,  and  spoiled  of  th^ir  contents.  At  present,  the  prime  swarm,  I  shall 
suppose,  is  ii^tended  to  remain  as  a  stock  o.ver  the  coming  winter.  The 
plan  to  be  pm-sued  with  a  view  to  strengthen  it,  (and  even  when  the  hive 
is  to  be  kept,  it  may  be  strengthened  witli  advantage,)  is  as  follows : — 
About  an  hour  before  dusk,  the  old  hive  is  brought  to  the  stand  which  it 
is  intended  permanently  to  occupy ;  here  the  bandage  is  loosened,  when 
a  rush  of  the  imprisoned  bees  will  take  place,  eager  to  eryo.y  the  pure 
air  after  their  confinement.  Ma7iy  of  them,  after  a  short  flight,  will 
return,  but,  not  a  few,  instead  of  flying  back  to  their  hive,  will  go  to 
their  former  vxll-knoivn  quarters,  now  occupied  hy.  the  new  swarm. 
There  finding  their  queen  and  friends,  tl^ey  will  remain  to  increase 
the  strength  of  the  new  swarm,  by  the  welcome  addition  of  their 
numbers.  Nothing  remains  but  to  restore  its  hackle  to  the  old  hive, 
and  to  give  a  milk  pan  to  the  new  one — this  having  aflat  top,  but  not 
so  the  other.     The  pan  should  be  elevated  an  inch  from  the  top  of  the 


♦  That  is,  if  the  swarm  appears  vny  strong ;  otherwise,  let  it  be  treated  aocording  to  the 
directions  given  in  the  ensuing  paragraph. 


24  THE    COTTAGE     AND    FARM     BEE    KEEl'ER. 

hive,  by  the  insertion  of  a  lew  stones,  to  allow  space  for  a  current  of 
cool  air  between  it  and  the  hive,  which  will  be  very  grateful  to  the 
bees,  and  tend  to  further  the  hive's  prosperity. 

Now  in  this  case,  that  is,  the  substitution  of  the  new  liive  for  the 
old  one,  in  all  probability  no  further  issue  of  swarms  will  take  place 
from  the  old  stock,  for  the  major  part  of  the  population  having  gone 
ofi'  with,  or  subsequently  joined,  the  prime  swarm,  there  is  every  like- 
lihood that  the  first-hatched  princess  will  issue  from  her  cradle  before 
the  population  shall  have  sufficiently  increased  as  effectually  to  control 
her  actions,  notwithstanding  the  large  quantity  of  brood  which  is 
always  left  behind  by  the  old  queen.  In  this  case,  which  will  happen 
nine  times  out  of  ten,  the  newly-hberated  C{ueen  rushes  wildly  about 
the  hive,  inflamed  by  instinctive  impulse  to  a  most  vindictive  rage, 
plunges  her  sting  into  every  royal  cell  still  occupied  by  brood,  and 
destroys  every  rival,  thus  remaining  undisputed  mistress  of  the  hive. 
Here,  of  course,  no  more  swarms  will  issue ;  but — and  mark  the  ad- 
vantage of  this  result — instead  of  a  succession  of  miserable  casts  pro- 
ceeding from  the  hive  to  trouble  and  annoy  the  apiator,  and  blight  his 
prospects  for  another  year,  (which  casting  almost  invariably  produces, 
as  the  casts  are  in  general  worthless,  and  the  old  stock  becomes  too 
impoverished  to  survive  tlie  Avinter,)  there  will  stand  till  the  spring 
following  the  original  stock,  besides  the  prime  swarm,  both  presided 
over  by  young  and  vigorous  queens,  and  having  a  teeming  and  youth- 
ful population. 

In  the  former  case,  however,  where  the  first-hatched  princess  of  the 
year  was  forced  to  le^d  off  the  prime  swarm,  (this  being  not  located 
on  the  old  stand,)  a  cast  must  certainly  be  looke  1  for,  which  wiU  prob- 
ably issue  from  the  liive  two  or  three  days  after  the  first ;  that  is,  un- 
less the  first  swarm  was  remarkably  large.  Instead  of  suffering  it  to 
stand  as  a  distinct  stock,  I  would  advise  it  to  be  returned  to  its  parent 
hive  the  same  day.  As,  however,  it  would  probably  re-issue  the  fol- 
lowing day,  (and  every  day  so  long  as  there  remained  any  royal  brood,) 
I  would  recommend  the  apiator,  after  hiving  the  cast  in  the  usual  way, 
to  lift  the  old  hive  off  its  stand,  turn  it  up  in  a  pail,  and  cut  out  every 
royal  cell  iliat  he  can  see.  Owing  to  the  probably  small  number  of  bees 
left  behind,  after  the  issue  of  the  cast,  the  operation  is  a  very  simple 
and  easy  one.  When  the  royal  cells  have  been  removed,  bring  the 
cast  ii)  its  temporary  hive,  and  turn  it  quickly  bottom  upwards  in  the 


THE  COTTAGE  AXD  FARM  BEE  KEEPER.  25 

pail,  and  set  the  old  hive  over  it.  The  bees  will  immediately  ascend 
up  into  it ;  nor  will  there  be  any  further  issue,  especially  if  the  junc- 
tion be  effected  towards  evening.  It  is  well  to  perform  the  operation 
close  to  the  old  stand  of  the  old  hive,  to  which,  (when  the  bees  have 
crept  up  into  it,)  the  hive  may  be  removed ;  were  the  junction  effected 
at  a  distance,  it  might  happen  that  a  good  many  bees  would  lose  them- 
selves in  seeking  for  their  home  in  its  well-known  locality,  particularly 
if  the  old  hive  were  not  replaced  till  evening. 

The  old-fashioned  bee  keeper  will,  I  doubt  not,  object  to  the  system 
here  proposed,  that  it  promises  no  nectar  spoil  the  first  year,  owing  to 
my  discouragem^ent  of  casting;  all  scientific  apiarians,  however,  are 
agreed  in  recommending  either  the  return  of  casts,  or  their  junction 
with  one  or  more  others.  Of  these  two  methods,  I  decidedly  give  the 
preference  to  the  former ;  and  I  think  it  stands  to  reason,  that  two  old 
hives,  (if  still  clean,  and  not  too  old  as  to  their  comb,)  with  a  returned 
population  of  youthful  workers  and  vigorous  queens,  will  do  far  more, 
and  yield  a  much  larger  profit  in  the  end,  than  the  united  casts  of  these 
hives  would  do,  together  with  the  same  old  stocks,  if  preserved  to 
another  year — seeing  these  will  each  have  a  weak  population.  More- 
over, the  season  must  be  bad  indeed  which  does  not  see  some  surplus 
boney  gathered  by,  and  obtained  from,  the  monster  prime  swarm. 
Large  though  the  hive  may  be,  it  will  be  found  to  fall  short  of  the 
space  demanded  by  the  wants  of  the  thronging  and  busy  insects ;  the 
bee  master  ought,  therefore,  about  the  eighteenth  day  after  its  estab- 
lishment, (according  to  the  season,)  to  withdraw  the  bung  from  the 
top  hole,  and  place  a  large  glass  or  cap  over  it,  having  a  piece  of  comb 
fastened  to  its  side  by  the  application  of  heat,  to  tempt  the  bees  up 
into  it.  Should  a  glass  be  preferred  to  a  cap  of  straw,  it  must  have  a 
warm  flannel  covering  closely  fitting  over  it,  to  prevent  the  escape 
of  heat ;  in  very  hot  weather,  of  course  this  may  be  removed,  but  put 
on  again  should  a  change  of  weather  occur  and  a  cold  temperature 
prevail.  A  common  bell  hive  painted  should  be  made  to  cover  the 
glass  or  cap,  surmounted  by  a  neat  hackle,  projecting  in  part  over  the 
lower  hive,  as  a  protection  from  rain  and  sun.  Should  more  room  be 
wanted,  which  will  be  known  by  the  thronging  of  the  bees  about  the 
entrance,  a  low  flat-topped  hive  should  be  introduced  between  the 
glass,  already  partially  filled,  and  the  hive  itself;  or  else,  if  the  hive 
have  several  holes  in  its  crown  board,  other  glasses  may  be  set  over 


26  THE  COTTAGE  AND  FARM  BEE  KEEPER. 

it,  large  or  small,  according  to  circumstances,  Avhicli  I  prefer  greatly 
to  the  piling  of  sujyers  one  over  the  other. 

The  next  matter,  which  will  claim  the  attention  of  the  cottager,  will 
be  the  removal  of  the  honeyful  cap  or  glass  whenever  that  happy  cir- 
cumstance is  ascertained,  which  may  be  known  by  seeing  most  of  the 
cells  that  are  visible  ceiled  in  with  a  waxen  lid.  As  soon  as  this  is 
certainly  known — if  the  glass  or  cap  seems  ready  for  spoliation  on  or 
before  the  7th  of  July — another  smaller  glass  or  cajj  may  be  substitu- 
ted for  it.  After  that  date,  it  will  be  advisable  to  suffer  the  bees  to  fill 
their  empty  store  room  in  the  hive  below.  The  bee  master  need  not 
regret  the  transfer  of  the  honey  that  may  be  collected  after  that  time 
from  himself  to  his  bees,  as  after  the  middle  of  July  what  honey  is 
collected  is  generally  poor,  and  has  often  a  peculiar  flavor,  far  from 
agreeable.  While,  however,  this  honey  will  be  of  little  value  to  liim- 
self,  it  is  good  enough  for  his  bees,  and  a  treasure  to  them. 

The  removal  of  a  glass  or  cap,  and  the  substitution  of  another  in  its 
place,  is  not  a  matter  of  much  difficulty.  The  best  time  for  perform- 
ing the  operation  is  towards  the  brightest  part  of  a  fine  day,  when 
most  of  the  bees  are  luxuriating  in  the  fields.  This  usually  occurs 
about  one  or  two  o'clock,  p.m.  The  apiator  should  be  carefully  armed 
against  the  possibility  of  being  stung,  as  bees  are  often  greatly  en- 
raged, especially  if  their  hive  receive  any  blow  or  jar  in  the  event  of 
the  operation  being  awkwardly  performed.  The  actual  removal  of  the 
glass  is  an  easy  matter.  It  is  not  from  the  bees  who  may  happen  to 
be  in  the  glass,  or  at  the  hole  in  the  top,  that  an  attack  is  to  be  appre- 
hended ;  the  sudden  admission  of  Hght  at  an  unguarded  point,  where 
an  invasion  is  least  expected  by  them,  seems  so  greatly  to  confound 
them,  that  they  never  attempt  to  fly,  except  they  are  breathed  upon; 
tills  makes  it  very  easy  to  remove  a  glass  in  a  bee  house,  where  the  in- 
and-out-flying  bees  cannot  annoy. 

A  favorable  opportunity  having  presented  itself,  let  the  bee  master 
proceed  to  his  apiary  with  a  fresh  glass  in  his  hand,  a  plate  or  dish 
large  enough  to  hold  the  full  one,  a  stout  piece  of  thread,  and  a  knife 
or  pj^atula.  After  gently  removing  the  hackle  and  covering  hive, 
the  knife  must  be  passed  round  the  edges  of  the  cap  or  glass  so  as  to 
break  the  propoUs  which  makes  it  adhere  to  the  hive  top.  Next  let 
him  pass  the  string,  holding  it  with  both  hands,  under  the  glass,  to 
sever  the  comb  above  from  its  attachments  below — for  it  has  generally 


THE    COITAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPFR.  27 

a  communication  through  the  hole  with  the  combs  below.  This  must 
be  done  carefully,  so  as  to  destroy  as  few  bees  as  possible — care  being 
taken  also  to  cut  the  combs  from  end  to  end  lengthwise,  and  not  side- 
ways or  across,  for  fear  of  disengaging  them  from  the  sides,  or  crush- 
ing a  number  of  bees  between  them,  and  so  spoihng  the  honeycomb. 
The  full  glass  should  now  be  raised  gently,  yet  ciuickly,  oflP,  and  put  in 
the  plate  that  was  provided  for  the  purpose,  after  which  the  fresh  glass 
must  be  elevated  over  the  hole  in  the  place  of  the  former,  and  its 
coverings  restored  as  before.  Should  it  be  thought  proper  to  give  no 
more  room  additional,  of  course  the  straw  bung  will  be  placed  over 
the  hole,  and  the  milk  pan  covering  restored. 

Let  the  full  glass  now  be  removed  either  into  the  cottage  or  to  some 
shady  part  of  the  garden,  placed  on  a  table,  and  covered  over  with 
some  dark  cloth  or  handkerchief  for  the  space  of  thirty  or  forty 
minutes.  By  this  tune,  the  imprisoned  bees  wQl  generally  be  found  in 
the  greatest  commotion,  which  is  the  best  augury  of  success,  for  the 
queen  mother  is  known  by  this  to  be  absent  from  among  them ;  it  is 
a  sign,  also,  in  general,  that  there  is  no  brood  in  the  glass.  As  to 
brood,  however,  it  is  utterly  unlikely  that  any  will  be  found  where 
the  hive  itself  is  a  large  one ;  the  queen  never  breeds  in  a  bell  glass 
except  when  the  dimensions  of  her  proper  dwelhng  are  too  contracted 
for  her  wants.  Now,  then,  must  the  glass  be  turned  bottom  upwards 
in  the  plate,  it  being  still  partially  covered  by  the  cloth.  In  a  very 
few  minutes,  every  bee  will  have  flown  away.  Care  must  be  taken 
not  to  breathe  upon,  fumigate,  nor  tap  the  glass,  for  this  only  diverts 
the  bees'  attention,  and  counteracts  the  influence  of  the  royal  instinct, 
now  all-prevalent.  If  left  alone,  they  will  hie  home  with  all  speed, 
eager  to  rejoin  their  beloved  queen  mother.  "When  the  operation  is 
performed  in  the  house,  the  room  into  which  the  glass  is  taken  must 
be  darkened  in  every  part,  save  only  at  one  open  space  in  one  of  the 
windows,  through  which  the  insects  may  fly  out  unimpeded ;  more- 
over, the  window  should  look  out  directly  upon,  or  not  be  far  from, 
the  apiary,  otherwise  the  bees  will  be  apt  to  return  into  the  room  to 
the  annoyance  of  the  apiator,  being  at  a  loss  to  find  their  way  home. 
He  must  also  be  present  most  of  the  time  until  the  glass  is  empty,  for 
sometimes  the  bees  will  return  with  an  accession  of  force,  and  rifle 
every  drop  of  honey  they  can  find.  Should  any  symptom  be  apparent 
of  an  invasion  of  this  sort  before  the  glass  is  emptied  of  its  contents,  it 


28  THE    COTTAGE    AND    FAKM    BEE    KEEPER. 

must  be  removed  elsewhere,  and  the  bees  imprisoned  for  a  short 
space;  but  this  wLU  very  rarely  happen,  except  where  the  bee 
master  is  most  culpably  neghgent. 

It  sometimes  happens,  as  I  have  hinted  above,  that  the  queen  bee 
is  imprisoned  among  her  subjects  in  the  glass.  If  so — and  it  will  be 
known  by  the  comparative  silence  Avhich  reigns  within,  and  the  Uttle 
disposition  of  the  bees  to  fly  away,  as  well  as,  (though  after  a  longer 
interval,  and  then  not  always,)  by  the  restlessness  of  the  bees  in  the 
old  stock — the  glass  must  be  restored  to  the  parent  hive  till  the  queen 
is  ascertained  to  have  descended ;  or,  better  stUl,  the  queen  may  be 
hunted  for  in  the  glass,  and  her  person  secured.  In  this  case,  she 
might  be  destroyed,  if  found  to  be  small  in  size,  and  thought  to  be  old; 
but  this  must  be  done  with  caution,  especially  if  the  hive  from  which 
she  is  taken  be  intended  for  a  permanent  stock;  that  is,  to  remain  at  least 
over  the  following  winter ;  for  a  queen  may  often  be  lost  from  a  hive 
without  the  bees  ever  perceiving  it,  in  which  case,  she  must  inevitably 
perish.  If  not  destroyed,  let  the  queen  be  put  on  the  alighting  board 
of  the  hive,  into  which  she  will  speedily  enter. 

Where  brood  is  found  in  the  glass,  if  in  any  quantity,  it  ought  to  be 
returned ;  otherwise,  the  sacrifice  of  it  is  of  little  importance. 

As  soon  as  August  is  fairly  over,  it  will  be  time  to  prepare  for 
winter,  by  weighing  the  hives,  and  supplying  any  deficiency  in  the 
weight  by  a  timely  and  liberal  supply  of  food.  The  new  stock  ought 
to  weigh  upwards  of  23  lbs.  of  contents,  and  the  old  one  about  the 
same,  for  the  difference  in  age  in  the  one  case  will  about  equalize,  in 
weight  of  comb,  &c.,  the  difference  in  the  other ;  that  is,  if  one  hive 
contains  old,  and  therefore  heavy  comb,  the  other  wUl  probably  con- 
tain a  greater  abundance  of  pollen,  as  wcU  as  more  comb,  than  the 
other.  Should  either  hive  weigh  less  than  the  figure  above  specified, 
(and  each  ought  to  weigh  very  much  more  than  this,)  feed  copiousl}'-, 
and  in  the  shortest  possible  space  of  time,  (in  order  that  the  exciting 
cause  may  be  the  quicker  removed,  when  bees  consume  more  food 
than  usual,)  either  with  honey  or  prepared  food,  full  directions  for  the 
making  of  which  will  be  found  further  on  in  this  book. 

The  business  of  the  apiary  being  now  concluded  for  the  year,  all 
that  remains  to  be  done  is  to  shelter  the  hives  from  the  winter  sun, 
should  they  be  at  all  exposed  to  its  influence.  This  part  of  bee 
management,  namely,  the  wintering  of  bees,  has  rarely  been  properly 


THE    COTTAGE    AXD    FARM    CEE    KEEPER.  29 

attended  to*  ;  aud  yet  there  can  scarcely  be  imagined  a  more  import- 
ant duty  of  the  bee  keeper.  We  have,  indeed,  had  suggestions,  many 
and  variouSj  from  different  quarters,  as  to  the  best  method  of  winter- 
ing liives ;  but  no  certain  or  uniform  plan,  as  the  result  of  a  careful 
trial  of  all  available  methods,  has  yet  been  put  forward ;  and  it  is  evi- 
dent that  no  one  can  speak  of  any  method  being  the  best,  until  the 
various  merits  of  such  methods  have  been  fairly  tested.  Some  persons 
have  successfully  kept  bees  through  the  winter  by  burial  under  gi'ound, 
while  others  have  stowed  their  hives  in  cool  barns  and  dry  cellars  with 
a  like  result,  yet  experiments  of  this  kind  have  been  isolated,  and  no 
certain  inference  can  be  drawn  from  them  in  favor  of  those  particular 
plans  as  generally  reconimAdable.  One  bee  master  suggests  the 
transfer  of  hives  to  the  north  side  of  a  wall  or  building,  while  a  second 
(as  !Mr.  Taylor,)  recommends  their  being  sheltered  fi-om  the  sun  by  a 
large  wooden  screen  placed  in  front  of  them,  without  removing  them 
"from  their  summer  stands.  In  the  present  condition  of  our  ignorance 
on  the  subject,  (for  I  cannot  call  it  knowledge),  I  should  advise  a  trial 
of  these  screens,  one  to  each  hive  ;  or,  better  perhaps,  (because  cheaper 
and  less  awkward.)  a  double  line  stretched  on  poles,  firmly  fixed  in  the 
ground,  and  covered  with  hass  mntting,  might  be  made  to  protect 
several  hives  at  once.  Of  the  two  former  plans,  it  is  impossible  yet  to 
speak  with  any  certainty,  until  their  merits  shall  have  been  largely 
tried.  Nothing  is  more  certain  than  that  all  hives  become  greatly 
weakened  which  are  suffered  to  remain  throughout  the  winter  ex- 
posed to  the  sun's  influence ;  for  many  bees  wiU  be  lured  out  of  their 
comfortable  quarters  to  almost  certain  ruin,  while  an  increased  con- 
sumption of  food  takes  place.  "Where  a  suitable  locality  is  chosen, 
(well  sheltered.)  I  am  very  much  disposed  to  consider  a  permanent 
north  or  northwest  situation  as  presenting  an  aspect  the  most  desira- 
ble for  bee  hives ;  but  time,  and  the  increasing  enterest  in  scientific 
bee  management,  which  is  rapidly  developing  itself,  will  assuredly  dis- 
close to  us  many  truths  yet  only  guessed  at. 

Second  year. — The  severity  of  winter  no  sooner  yields  to  the 
soft  influence  of  February  zephyrs,  [this  wiU  apply  to  Virginia  and  Ken- 
tucky or  other  states  south,  but  at  the  north,  the  season  will  not  be 


See  Appendix,  Note  C. 


so  THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER. 

sufficiently  advanced,]  than  our  little  favorites  sally  forth  in  quest  of 
nourishment  for  their  young,  many  of  whom,  it  may  be,  are  already 
hatched  in  the  hive.  Warned  by  their  drony  hum,  (for  it  has  a  pecu- 
liar sound  at  this  season  of  the  year,)  the  bee  master  should  pay  an 
early  visit  to  his  apiary,  taking  with  him  a  clean  and  dry  bottom  board. 
The  process  of  board-cleansing  is  another  rarely-considered  duty  of 
the  apiarian,  but  not  the  less  important  on  that  account.  To  the  ne- 
glect of  this  precaution  is  to  be  attributed  the  ruin  of  not  a  few  hives 
by  the  wax  moth,  and  the  impoverishment  of  many  more,  annually. 
These  insects  are  on  the  alert  sometimes  as  early  as  March,  if  the 
weather  is  mild,  and  may  be  seen  at  morn  and  eve  hovering  busily  around ' 
the  hives.  They  lay  a  good  deal  in  the  icfterstices  between  the  hive  and 
the  board,  on  that  side  where  the  latter  is  most  tliickly  covered  with 
the  debris  of  comb,  (for  they  quickly  scent  it  out,)  if  this  is  not 
removed.  Where  the  hive  is  well  glued  by  propolis  to  the  board, 
it  is  a  question  if  the  larvae,  when  the  eggs  are  hatched,  can  get  in, 
on  which  account  it  may  seem  a  dubious  good  to  break  up  the  hives 
from  their  boards.  If,  however,  these  latter  are  frequently  cleansed — 
and  the  oftener  the  better — no  danger  on  this  score  need  be  appre- 
hended ,  besides,  the  bees  will  be  spared  much  labor.  The  best  way 
to  conduct  this  operation,  is  to  substitute  a  fresh  board  for  that  of  one 
of  the  hives,  which  may  be  cleansed  and  dried  eflectually  ere  it  be 
substituted  tlie  foUoAving  day  for  the  board  of  the  second  hive,  and  so 
on  throughout  the  apiary,  where  more  than  two  hives  are  kept.  The 
last  removed  board,  after  being  thoroughly  cleansed,  may  be  laid  by 
for  future  use. 

While  the  above  operation  is  being  performed,  a  good  opportunity 
presents  for  examining  the  condition  of  the  comb  in  the  old  hives. 
Let  these,  therefore,  be  turned  up,  and  any  old,  black,  or  mouldy  comb 
that  may  be  visible,  removed,  taking  care  not  tp  cut  too  deep  into  the 
hive,  so  as  to  injure  the  brood  comb  actually  occupied. 

The  next  thing  to  be  attended  to  is  the  weighto£ca,ch.  hive,  in  which 
shoi;ld  there  chance  to  be  any  deficiency,  let  a  proper  supply  of  food 
be  given  to  the  bees.  This  ought  to  have  been  effectually  guarded 
against  some  months  before ;  but  if  such  attention  Avas  not  paid  to 
it,  about  half  a  pound  of  diluted  honey  or  beer  and  sugar,  (see  Chap- 
ter XI.,)  per  week  should  be  supphed  to  them,  until  honey  is  known 
to  abound- 


THE  COTTAGE  AND  FARM  BEE  KEEPER.  31 

Besides  the  danger  arising  from  a  possible  failure  of  food,  there  are 
other  evils  no  less  formidable  to  be  apprehended,  and  various  contin- 
gencies to  be  met  as  they  arise.  Should  any  of  the  hives,  for  instance, 
appear  sluggish  towards  the  middle  or  close  of  March,  or  even  Q3,rlier ; 
if  the  bees  stay  much  at  home,  however  apparently  numerous ;  and 
httle  or  no  pollen  is  carried  into  the  liive,  (and  two  out  of  every  three 
bees  ought  to  return  from  the  fields  well  laden  with  this  substance.) 
mischief  is  certainly  brewing  within.  This  last,  of  aU  signs,  is  the 
most  fatal  It  is  now  all  over  with  the  hive's  prosperity,  and  the  sooner 
it  is  broken  up  the  better.  Either  the  queen  is  dead,  or  she  has  be- 
come worn  out  with  age.  In  either  case,  the  bees,  having  reconciled 
themselves  to  their  fate,  Uve  riotously  on  their  stores  while  hfe  lasts, 
or  their  store  of  honey  remains.  The  best  way  to  treat  the  hive  under 
these  circumstances,  is  to  fumigate  it  with  burnt  puff  ball,  {Racodi- 
v,m  cellare,)*  and  to  unite  the  bees  to  the  nearest  neighboring  hive. 
As  this  is  often  a  matter  of  trouble  and  difficulty,  I  would  recommend 
the  following  plan  to  be  adopted  in  conducting  the  process : — When 
the  bees  are  all  at  home,  blow  into  the  hive,  by  the  entrance  of  a  suffi- 
cient quantity  of  smoke,  till  all  is  still  within  it.  A  few  raps  upon  the 
hive  will  shake  down  a  great  many  bees,  which  the  smoke  itself,  per- 
haps, has  failed  to  chsengage  from  between  the  combs.  Now  Uft  up  the 
hive,  and  sweep  the  fumigated  bees  from  the  stand  into  an  empty  hive 
or  other  receptacle,  together  with  as  many  bees  as  can  be  swept  off 
the  combs  of  the  hive  itself  before  they  come  to  life  again.  This  done, 
while  one  person  sprinkles  the  fumigated  bees  with  sugar  water,  let 
another  remove  the  old  hive,  and  set  it  over  a  hole  prepared  before- 
hand, and  filled  witla  a  few  sulphur  matches ;  afterwards,  the  combs 
may  be  cut  out  at  leisure,  without  any  annoyance  from  the  not  seldom 
speedy  recovery  of  the  haff-fumigated  bees.  Before  joining  the  fumi- 
gated bees  to  another  stock,  the  population  of  both  the  hives  should  be 
sprinkled  with  a  little  sugared  ale  or  eau  siicri.  To  effect  the  junction, 
proceed  as  follows : — After  well  sprinkling  the  fumigated  bees,  set  them, 
(in  the  common  bell  hive,)  bottom  upwards  in  a  pail ;  then  take  the 
full  hive,  also  sprinkled  with  the  preparation,  and  set  it  over  the 
other ;  tie  a  cloth  round  the  points  of  union  of  the  two  hives,  and  let 


•  Seo  Mr.  Taylor's  book. 


32  THE  COTTAGE  AND  FARM"  BEE  KEEPER. 

them  remain  in  this  condition  till  the  following  morning  early.  Now 
remove  the  cloth,  and  set  the  full  hive  on  its  old  stand,  when  the  bees 
will  be  found  to  have  harmoniously  coalesced.  The  hives  must  not 
in  anywise  be  meddled  with  during  the  time  afforded  them  for  ami- 
cably settUng  their  differences.  What  honey  is  found  in  the  fumiga- 
ted hive  becomes  the  spoil  of  the  bee  master ;  being  probably  consid- 
erable, he  must  console  himself  therewith  for  his  loss. 

Let  us  suppose,  however,  that  both  his  stocks  survive  the  winter 
and  spring,  and  on  the  approach  of  May,  are  in  strong  and  vigorous 
health,  and  promise  early  swarms.  Towards  the  end  of  April,  his 
improved  hive  with  the  flat  roof,  (the  other,  be  it  remembered,  is  still 
the  old  hive  originally  purchased,  and  has  no  hole ;  one  however  might  be 
cut  out  of  its  top,)  must  be  furnished  with  a  large  cap  or  bee  glass,  more 
particularly  if  there  is  any  intention  of  returning  the  prime  swarm, 
with  a  view  to  get  rid  of  the  old  queen ;  for,  in  this  case,  the  interval 
which  must  elapse  betVeen  the  return  and  the  re-issue  of  the  swarm 
will  be  often  so  considerable,  as  to  afford  plenty  of  time  for  fiUing  a 
fine  glass,  owing  to  the  large  and  rapid  increase  of  the  population.  In 
very  good  seasons,  two  glasses  may  be  taken  off. 

And  now  swarming  time,  that  most  interesting  of  all  seasons  to  the 
lover  of  bees,  has,  we  will  suppose,  again  come  round,  and  his  heart 
is  elate  with  hope,  while  anticipating  less  disappointment  than  under 
the  old  system.  The  bee  master  is  now  frequently  about  his  liives, 
supplying  water,  shading  from  the  sun,  and  watching  the  progi'ess  of 
his  bees.  The  early  appearance  of  drones  is  hailed  by  him  as  an  es- 
pecial augury  of  prosperity ;  and  they  may  be  seen  in  some  forward 
seasons  so  early  as  the  middle  of  April.  The  carrying  in  of  large 
quantities  of  pollen,  also,  is  noted  with  infinite  satisfaction. 

Let  us  now  take  the  case  of  the  old  stock,  which  swarmed  the  year 
before ;  this  being  smaller  than  the  swarm  which  issued  from  it,  and 
certainly  containing  a  queen  of  the  previous  year,  is  the  first  to  swarm, 
and  that  on  or  before  the  25th  of  May.  As  soon  as  settled,  the  bees 
should  be  swept  into  the  larger-sized  hive,  similar  to  the  one  used  the 
year  before,  if  it  be  intended  to  preserve  it  as  a  stock  hive  to  another 
spring ;  and  the  new  swarm  put  in  the  place  of  the  parent  stock,  re- 
moving this  to  a  stand  close  by.  The  same  treatment,  also,  will  be 
adopted  with  the  first  swarm  that  issues  from  the  other  stock, 
should  it  have  a  youthful  queen  as  the  other,  and  be  reserved  for  win- 


33  THE  COTTAGE  AND  FARM  BEE  KEEPER. 

ter  stock  likewise.  If,  however,  the  queen  was  not  destroyed  the  year 
before,  but  suffered  to  accompany  the  prime  swarm  on  its  first  issue, 
by  all  means  let  tliis  be  done  now,  and  the  swarm  be  returned  to  its 
parent  hive  tiU  the  emancipation  of  the  oldest  princess.  This  will  not 
take  place  for  at  least  a  week  later,  therefore,  give  additional  space  for 
working  at  the  top  of  the  hive ;  it  wiU  not  delay  the  swarm's  issue  a 
single  moment. 

If,  however,  it  be  deemed  suitable  to  increase  the  apiary  by  slower 
degrees,  and  one  additional  stock  only  be  reserved  for  winter-keeping, 
the  swarm  from  the  second  stock  need  not  have  its  queen  destroyed. 
Let  it,  in  tliis  case,  be  put  into  one  of  the  smaller-sized  hives,  (see  Chap- 
ter IV,)  and  located  on  the  old  stand,  as  in  the  instance  not  long  ago 
specified.  It  wUl  thus  derive  a  great  accession  of  strength,  owing  to 
the  constant  resorting  to  it  of  many  bees  from  the  old  liive,  who,  on 
returning  from  the  fields,  will,  in  considerable  numbers,  bend  their 
flight  to  their  -old  homestead.* 

Tliis  swarm  must  have  additional  room  furnished  to  it  within  a  week 
of  its  establishment,  by  placing  a  super  of  exactly  the  same  dimen- 
sions over  the  hive  itself;  it  may,  indeed,  often  be  requisite  to  give 
this  before,  as  when  the  season  is  very  favorable  or  the  swarm  unusu- 
ally large.  If  these  hives  are  carefully  fastened  together,  well  paint- 
ed, surmounted  with  a  milk  pan,  and  carefully  shaded  from  the  sun, 
they  will  require  no  more  care  till  the  spoliation  season  comes  round. 
One  or  more  glasses  may  be  taken  off"  in  the  course  of  the  summer 
from  the  old  stocks  and  the  first  swarm  ;  but  the  apiarian  wiU  look 
chiefly  for  his  spolia  opi'ina,  [arms  taken  by  one  commander  from  an- 
other,] to  the  second  prime  swarm,  if  he  does  not  intend  to  keep  it 
over  the  coming  winter. 

Let  us  suppose  the  autumn  arrived.  His  bees,  perhaps,  have  all 
thrived  well.  There  stands  the  original  stock  purchased  the  year  be- 
fore ;  also  the  swarm  which  proceeded  from  it  the  same  season  ;  and 
the  two  swarms  obtained  from  these  hives  in  the  current  year.    Should 


*  I  need  not  repeat  here  the  instructions  already  given  in  the  early  part  of  this  chapter 
for  the  management  of  the  parent  stock  after  this  issue  of  the  prime  swarm  ;  suffice  it  to 
say,  that  no  casts  ought,  on  any  account,  to  be  suffered  to  stand  as  independent  stocks  ; 
rather  let  them  be  returned  to  tlieir  parent  hives  on  the  same  day  of  their  issue,  after  a  care- 
ful excision  of  all  the  royal  cells  which  present  them=elves  (o  view. 


34  THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER. 

the  bee  keeper  intend  to  break  up  liis  oldest  hive,  (which  he  might 
do  advantageously,)  hoth  his  prime  swarms  ought  in  this  case  be  pre- 
served, and  to  this  end  they  should  have  been  put  both  of  them  into  the 
largest  hives.  But  if  one  of  them  was  put  into  the  smaller  hive,  with 
the  super  added  to  it,  with  a  view  to  plunder  in  the  autumn,  in  this 
case  the  old  liive  may  be  kept,  (unless  two  hives  are  considered  a  full 
complement  for  the  apiary,)  after  cutting  out  of  it  one  or  two  of  the 
oldest  and  dirtiest-looking  combs.  In  either  case  the  bees  should  be 
preserved,  and  be  given  to  the  neighboring  stocks.  The  plan  to  be  pur- 
sued is  this — and  first  where  the  old  hive  is  to  be  broken  up  : 

Towards  dusk  on  a  calm  warm  evening,  proceed  to  the  apiary,  ac- 
companied by  a  well-armed  assistant,  taking  with  him  the  following 
articles  : — a  good-sized  table  cloth,  a  bucket  or  pail,  a  low  stool,  a  good 
length  of  strong  twine,  an  empty  hive  of  the  same  diameter  as  the 
hive  to  be  operated  on,  some  sulphured  feathers  and  matches,  a  spade 
and  a  couple  of  stout  sticks  about  a  foot  long.  These  are  the  imple- 
ments wliich  I  have  found  useful  in  conducting  the  process  of  driving. 

Business  is  opened  by  planting  the  bucket  firmly  on  the  ground 
within  a  yard  or  two  of  the  doomed  hive,  which  ought  some  hours 
previously  to  have  been  broken  up  from  its  board,  and  elevated  an 
inch  above  it  by  some  sticks  thrust  underneath  it,  with  a  view  to  force 
the  bees  up  among  the  combs  by  means  of  the  current  of  air  which  is 
thereby  admitted  across  the  floor  board.  The  cloth  must  noAv  be  held 
by  the  assistant  unfolded,  in  such  a  manner  that,  when  thrown  over 
the  hive,  its  centre  shall  rest  on  the  top  of  the  hive,  while  the  string 
lies  untwisted  close  by  the  bucket  ready  for  use.  Everything  being 
in  readiness  thus  far,  the  apiator  gently,  but  quickly,  lifts  the  full  hive 
off  its  stand,  and  arranges  it  bottom  upwards  in  the  bucket.  The 
empty  hive  with  equal  celerity  and  care  is  then  lifted  over  the  re- 
versed stock,  and  adjusted  as  accurately  as  possible  to  the  up-turned 
base  of  it,  so  that  the  two  hives  exactly  coincide.*  On  a  signal  from  the 
chief  operator,  the  assistant  quickly  throws  the  cloth  over  the  top  of 
the  hive,  upon  which  one  of  them  seizes  the  string  and  proceeds  to 


*  If  not  equal  in  diameter,  the  empty  hive  maybe  rather  larger,  but  on  no  accounl 
smaller,  than  that  of  the  full  hive  ;  otherwise,  ten  to  one  the  bees  will  refuse  to  ascend, 
preferring,  together  with  their  queen,  to  adhere  obstinately  to  the  intervening  ledge.  A 
liive  with  a  few  combs  will  tempt  them  up  readily. 


THE    COTTAGE    AXD    FARM    BEE    KEEPER.  35 

pass  it  several  times  round  the  hives,  just  at,  above,  and  heloiu  the 
points  of  junction,  taking  care  to  tie  it  in  a  bow.  A  particular  atten- 
tion to  tliese  minutke  will  save  the  managers  a  great  deal  of  trouble, 
while  it  will  ensure  complete  success.  This  being  done — and  if  done 
nicely,  not  a  bee  will  have  escaped  to  annoy  the  operators — let  one  per- 
son hold  the  hives  steadily,  so  that  they  may  not  slip  apart,  while  the 
other  seated  on  the  stool  provided  for  the  purpose,  commences  a  smart, 
quick,  and  regular,  but  not  too  violent,  drumming  against  the  sides  of 
the  reversed  and  full  hive,  (and  this  alone,)  with  the  sticks  above  men- 
tioned. An  alternate  series  of  drummings,  with  intervals  of  cessation 
of  a  couple  of  minutes  at  a  time,  will  soon  disturb  the  population  with- 
in, and  compel  the  bees  to  ascend  into  the  empty  hive  after  their 
queen,  who  is  generally  among  the  first  to  move.  The  ascent,  which 
is  always  accompsyiied  with  a  loud  buzzing  sound,  is  frequently  ef- 
fected, (as  in  the  case  especially  of  a  strong  and  full  stock  with  a  vig- 
orous queen,)  within  five  minutes  of  the  first  commencement  of  the 
drumming ;  sometimes,  however,  it  is  delayed  for  many  minutes.  The 
operator  will  soon  learn  the  fittest  time  for  removing  the  upper  hive 
after  a  Uttle  practice ;  the  novice  I  would  advise  to  wait  some  ten  or  fif- 
teen minutes  after  the  first  great  humming  is  over.  He  may  continue 
tapping  at  intervals  against  the  bottom  hive,  but  very  gently,  or  the 
bees  which  had  already  gone  up,  might  descend,  as  I  have  more  than 
once  known  the  queen  to  do.  "VVlien  the  bees  are  perfectly  quiet,  the 
cloth  must  be  unfastened  and  gently  removed  Avithout  shaking  it,  else 
the  bees,  which  may  happen  to  be  imprisoned  in  it,  will  be  flying 
about  in  all  directions  to  the  dismaj-  of  those  present.  Now  let  the 
top  hive  be  quietly  taken  off  and  placed  on  some  stool  or  table  with- 
out jarring  it,  tiU  what  few  bees  may  be  left  in  the  old  hive  have  been 
fumigated  with  brimstone  after  the  old  fashion.  A  very  httle  sulphur 
■\nU  suffice  in  this  case,  as  the  fumes  will  quickly  pervade  the  hive 
now  thinned  of  its  population.  After  removing  the  old  hive  in-doors — 
where  the  combs  maybe  cut  out  immediately — attention  is  turned  once 
more  to  the  expatriated  bees.  If  the  nearest  hive  to  their  old  stand, 
(to  which  they  had  best  be  joined — as  but  few,  if  any,  will  loose  them- 
selves in  seeking  their  old  habitation,)  have  a  flat  top,  let  its  coverings 
and  bungs  be  removed,  and  a  piece  of  perforated  zinc  be  spread  over 
the  hole  or  holes ;  the  temporary  hive  may  then  be  set  over  it,  and 
every  cranny  effectually  closed,  (by  which  the  bees  might  escape,)  with 


36  THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM   BEE    KEEPER. 

a  little  clay,  when  the  smell  of  the  two  swarms  will  so  amalgamate, 
that,  on  withdrawing  the  plate  six  or  more  hours  later,  they  will  be 
found  to  have  peaceably  united,  after  a  contest  for  sovereignty  be- 
tween the  two  queens.  At  the  end  of  a  week — or  earher  if  it  can  be 
ascertained  that  the  bees  have  all  descended,  (up  to  which  time  the 
clay  stopping  must  on  no  account  be  removed  from  the  upper  hive,) 
the  top  hive  may  be  taken  away  altogether.  Should  any  bees  be  still 
found  in  it,  let  them  be  knocked  out  in  front  of  the  hive  to  which  they 
have  been  joined,  and  they  will  speedily  fly  into  it.  If,  on  falling  down, 
they  seem  to  congregate  in  amass,  and  do  not  return  to  their  new  home, 
their  queen,  it  will  be  conjectured,  probably  with  truth,  is  still  among 
them ;  let  her  be  sought  for  and  kiUed,  upon  which  the  bees  wiU  soon 
disperse  and  fly  away. 

Where  the  nearest  hive  has  no  flat  top,  (or  rather,  a  hole  at  its  top,) 
let  one  three  inches  square  be  neatly  cut  out  of  it  with  a  sharp  knife, 
and  a  cap  of  perforated  zinc  be  fitted  over  it.  After  sufiering  the 
temporary  hive,  (carefully  clayed  up,)  to  remain  in  this  way  for  a  suf- 
ficient time — say  till  the  following  evening — it  may  be  gently  Ufted 
up,  while  the  zinc  cap  is  removed  from  the  top  hole  of  the  lower  hive ; 
let  the  hive  then  be  replaced  as  before  tiU  the  end  of  the  week,  and 
treated  according  to  the  directions  above  given. 

This  plan  of  effecting  unions  of  bees  is,  perhaps,  the  simplest  and 
most  effectual  of  any.  We  are  indebted  to  Mr.  Walond,  late  rector 
of  Weston-under-Penyard,  Ross,  a  diligent  apiarian,  for  the  important 
discovery,  (which  I  have  frequently  verified,)  that  if  a  piece  of  perfo- 
rated wood  or  metal  be  introduced  between  two  hives  set  one  above 
another,  the  smell  of  the  two  famihes  will  commingle  in  such  a  man- 
ner, that  the  bees  wUl  shortly  unite  in  harmony  and  become  one  fam- 
ily, thus  showing  that  these  insects  recognize  friend  from  foe  by  smell 
alone. 

It  will  sometimes  happen,  (though  very  rarely,)  that  no  drumming 
wUl  induce  the  bees  to  ascend  into  the  empty  hive  set  over  them. 
When  this  is  the  case,  either  there  is  but  little  comb  in  the  reversed 
hive,  or  the  bees  are  few  in  number,  or  their  queen  is  weak  or  dead. 
In  the  latter  instance,  (and,  indeed,  in  e\'t!ry  instance  where  the  bees 
to  be  preserved  will  not  ascend,)  recourse  must  be  had  to  fumigation. 
Where  stocks  are  thin  in  population,  or  only  half  full  of  comb,  driving 
will  rarely  succeed,  and  then  only  after  much  trouble.  ■  Under  such 


THE  COTTAGE  A^ND  FARM  BEE  KEEPER.  37 

circumstances,  the  only  way  to  dislodge  them  is  by  the  use  of  some 
narcotic.  As  soon  as  this  has  been  effectually  employed,  and  the  bees 
are  collected  in  a  glass  or  bowl,  let  them  be  spiinkled  with  honey  or 
sugar  water ;  this  done,  reverse  them  on  a  perforated  zinc  plate,  and 
set  them  over  the  hive  to  which  they  are  to  be  joined.  The  plate  may 
be  withdrawn  in  a  few  minutes  and  the  junction  effected.  Perhaps  it 
is  useful  to  blow  a  few  whifis  of  the  same  narcotic  used  in  fumigating 
these  bees  in  at  the  entrance  of  the  hive  to  which  they  are  to  be  joined, 
as  in  the  instance  already  explained.  I  cannot  say  I  am  an  advocate 
for  fumigation  where  it  can  be  avoided,  for  I  have  always  found  it  a 
dirty,  tedious,  and  troublesome  jirocess ;  but  many  as  strongly  advo- 
cate it — and  there  are  times  when  bees  can  be  saved  in  no  other 
way. 

If  the  old  hive  is  not  to  be  plundered,  but  reserved  for  stock  to  an- 
other year — should  it  be  more  than  four  years  old — ^it  will  be  advisa- 
ble to  cut  away  part  of  the  comb,  wliich  is  now  getting  black  and  old. 
To  eft'ect  this,  let  the  bees  be  driven  out  according  to  the  method  just 
explained.  When  driven,  and  taken  off  the  old  hive,  proceed  to  cut 
out  the  two  middle,  or  blackest-looking  combs,  about  three  quarters 
of  the  way  up  ;  that  is,  until  the  cells  are  reached  which  contain  honey, 
for  tills  ought  by  no  means  to  be  removed.  Should  the  weight  of  the 
hive  be  gi'eat,  the  lower  part  of  more  than  two  combs  may  safely  be 
cut  away,  j^rovided  that  no  brood  is  sacrificed  in  so  doing.  If  the 
combs  appear  stiU  full  of  brood,  the  process  of  comb  excision  must  be 
deferred  until  the  young  bees  are  all  hatched  out ;  indeed,  the  process 
of  comb  excision,  on  this  account,  should  be  generally  delayed  tiU  the 
end  of  August  or  the  beginning  of  September,  when  the  lo;^"er  cells 
will  be  found  empty,  for  the  most  part,  of  both  honey  and  brood. 
After  cutting  out  as  much  comb  as  is  thought  advisable,  the  bees  may 
be  re-driven  into  their  old  domicile,  where  they  will  soon  put  things 
to  rights,  and,  perhaps,  make  some  fresh  comb  before  winter — but  if 
not,  the  vacuum  wiU  do  no  harm  I  have  known  bees  to  construct  comb 
under  these  circumstances  after  the  2-lth  of  September,  when  they  had 
been  so  treated.  I  need  only  observe,  that  a  hive  renewed  in  thia 
manner  by  a  periodical  excision  of  comb  may  last  in  good  health  and 
full  prosperity  for  as  many  years  as  the  straw  itself  will  last. 

The  method  of  deaUng  with  a  spoliation  swarm  is  as  follows : — The 
top  or  super  hive  should  be  taken  off  not  later  than  the  first  week  in 


38  THE  COTTAGE  AND  FARM  BEE  KEErER, 

August.  The  plan  to  be  j^ursued  in  its  removal  is  in  all  respects  sim- 
ilar to  that  ah-eady  explained  at  full,  where  the  first  glass  or  cap  had 
to  be  taken  off  the  former  year.  Nor  should  the  plunder  of  the  main 
stock  itself  be  delayed  much  beyond  this  time,  except  where  the  sur- 
rounding country  affords  much  autumn  pasturage  for  bees,  in  which 
case,  also,  the  super,  (if  not  full,)  may  be  kept  on  a  fortnight  or  so, 
longer.  "Where  the  queen  is  still  vigorous,  a  good  deal  of  brood  may 
yet  be  found  in  the  lower  liive,  on  driving  the  bees  out  of  it,  at  the 
period  of  deprivation.  If  so,  after  uniting  the  bees,  as  before  directed, 
to  the  nearest  stock,  and  cutting  out  each  comb  carefully,  I  would 
recommend  the  part  containing  the  brood  to  be  separated,  and  to  be 
placed  over  the  stock  to  which  the  bees  have  already  been  added.  In 
order  to  effect  this,  let  the  bungs  be  removed  from  the  to]:)  of  the  hive, 
and  set  a  plate  of  zinc  over  the  holes ;  next  adjust  the  brood  combs  in 
an  empty  flat-topped  hive  turned  bottom  upwards,  (from  which  the 
bungs  have  previously  been  removed,)  in  such  a  manner,  that  the  bees, 
on  being  admitted  to  the  comba  through  the  coinciding  holes  of  the 
two  hives,  shall  be  able  to  get  at  every  cell — in  order  to  which,  the 
combs  must  be  so  arranged  as  not  to  he  flat  against  each  other.  Now 
coyer  this  over  with  an  empty  bell  hive  pushed  down  over  it,  and 
Avithdraw  the  zinc  plate ;  the  bees  will  shortly  ascend,  warm  up,  and 
hatch  out -the  brood  with  their  accustomed  care,  after  Avhich,  at  the 
end  of  three  weeks,  the  top  hives  may  be  removed,  and  everytliing 
set  in  order  as  before. 

For  autumnal  management,  in  general,  in  respect  to  weighing  and 
feeding  up  of  stocks,  I  refer  the  reader  to  what  was  said  earlier  in  the 
chapter,  imder  the  head  of  the  first  year's  treatment  of  the  apiary. 
It  remains  for  me  to  add  a  few  words  on  the  selection  of  breeding 
stocks  to  stand  the  winter.  ^ly  plan  is — and  it  is  a  plan  I  would  ear- 
nestly press  upon  the  bee  keeper's  notice — to  keep  the  same  stock  on 
from  year  to  year,  so  long  as  the  hives  themselves  are  sound  and  un- 
injured ;  and,  if  properly  painted  every  year,  having  also  a  Avoodeu 
hoop  at  bottom,  they  will  last  lull  fifteen  years  and  upwards.  My  rea- 
sons for  recommending  tliis  unusual  plan  are  as  follows : — First,  that 
these  stocks  have  always  young  queens,  and  a  more  youthful  and  vigor- 
ous population,  if  they  have  s\yarmed  once,  and  only  once,  in  the  pre- 
ceding summer ;  and  secondly,  that  the  bee  keeper's  honey  harvests, 
being  gathered  from  virgin  hives,  and  fresh  combs,  will  be  so  much 


THE    COTTACiE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER.  89 

more  abundant  and  valuable  owing  to  the  superior  purity  of  the  honey 
so  obtained.  Is  it  objected  to  this  system  of  management,  that  the 
old  hires,  by  reason  of  the  age  and  foulness  of  their  combs,  will  be- 
come less  and  less  proUfic  and  healthy  every  year  ?  I  answer,  (and 
the  reader  will  be  prepared  for  my  answer  from  what  has  been  already 
written,)  that  every  autumn,  not  later  than  the  end  of  September,  one 
fourth  or  one  fifth  of  the  combs  in  each  hive,  (that  is,  the  lower  part 
only  to  the  depth  of  six  or  seven  inches;  for  the  upper  part  is 
rarely  used  for  breeding  purposes,  and  therefore  lasts  a  longer  time,) 
must  be  cut  away,  so  that  all  the  combs  in  every  breeding  hive  shall 
be  reneived  once  in  every  four  or  five  years.  By  this  means,  a  stock 
will  maintain  itself  in  perpetual  youth  ard  vigor,  so  long  as  straw  and 
.  binding  will  hold  together.  Mr.  Taylor,  following  De  GeUeu's  practice, 
advises  excision  of  comb  in  spring,  (February  or  March,) ;  to  this  I  en- 
tirely object,  chiefly  because  of  the  weakness  of  bees  at  this  season, 
and  the  extreme  hazard  attending  any  such  operation  at  this  critical 
period.  It  is  true,  the  bees  are  confined  to  one  part  of  the  hive,  and 
nothing  is  more  easy  than  to  cut  away  almost  any  qiiantity  of  empty 
comb — empty,  that  is,  of  brood.  But  these,  perhaps,  are,  (as  is  gene- 
rally the  case,)  the  main  honey  depository  of  the  hive,  and  possibly  the 
freshest  combs,  which  it  is  least  desirable  to  remove,  and  which  may 
have  been  renovated  the  year  before ;  while  the  combs  among  which 
the  bees  are  congregated  are  full  of  eggs  or  brood,  and  cannot  be  med- 
dled with  on  any  account.  It  is,  however,  good  practice  to  turn  up 
the  hives  in  February,  and  cut  away  any  mouldy  or  moth-eaten  comb 
that  may  be  seen. 

To  sum  up,  I  think  every  one  Avill  acknovdedge  at  this  point,  that 
the  system  of  bee  management  advocated  in  this  chapter  is  superior  to 
most  others  at  present  in  vogue,  on  the  ground  of  simphcity  and  profit.* 
Its  pecuharity  consists  chiefly  in  four  points,  vv'hich  I  conceive  have 
not  hitherto  been  combined  in  any  system.  1st,  the  perpetual 
maintenance  of  a  youthful  and  vigorous  race  of  queen  bees ;  2ndly, 
the  entire  suppression  of  all  after  swarming ;  Srdly,  the  yearly  plunder 
of  the  prime  swarms,  instead  of  keeping  them  as  winter  stock  ;  4thly, 
the  preservation  of  the  same  stocks,  for  swarming  purposes  almost  ex- 
clusively, from  year  to  year.     It  does  seem  passing  strange,  that  in 

*  Soe  .Appjndi.';,  Note  D. 


40  THE  COTTAGE  AND  FARM  BEE  KEEPER. 

the  management  of  our  bees  on  the  cottage  plan,  we  should  year  by 
year  have  systematically  destroyed  our  young  queens,  and  preferred 
with  more  politeness  than  self-interest — with  more  politeness  than  is 
generally  to  be  found  in  us  lords  of  the  creation  towards  our  dumb 
fellow  creatures — to  give  up  to  the  bees  the  free  enjoyment  of  their 
more  delicate  stores,  while  remaining  content  ourselves  with  the  more 
worthless  and  less  wholesome  kind. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


HIVES  OF  STRAW,  SUITABLE  TO  AMATEUR  BEE  MANAGEMENT. 


I  HAD  01-iginally  introduced  the  subject  of  this  chapter  among  the  ob- 
servations on  cottagers'  liives,  with  which  the  reader  has  ah-eady  been 
made  acquainted ;  but  it  has  since  occurred  to  me  that  it  would  be 
better  treated  of  in  a  separate  chapter,  as  an  introduction  to  my  sug- 
gestions to  the  amateur.  The  fact  is,  however  suited  Mr.  Payne's 
hive  may  be  to  the  pockets  and  capacities  of  the  humbler  class  of  bee 
keepers,  owing  to  its  very  slight  deviation  from  the  hive  in  common 
use,  it  undoubtedly  yields  the  palm  of  excellence  by  a  great  deal  to 
the  Huish  or  Grecian  hive,  as  modified  by  Mr.  Golding,  (which  I  con- 
sider the  ne  plus  ultra  of  bee  domicile,)  and  even  to  several  other  kinds 
of  hives  less  perfect  than  Mr.  Golding' s.  Should  any  person,  there- 
fore, consider  this  hive,  (and  it  need  not  be  constructed  at  any  very 
great  expense,)  better  adapted  than  the  former  to  improved  bee  cul- 
ture among  the  poor,  and  feel  desirous  of  introducing  it  into  common 
use,  let  him  by  all  means  recommend  it  in  preference. 

Before  I  come  to  treat  of  Mr.  Golding's  hive,  I  must  say  a  few 
words  in  favor  of  a  hive  of  Mr.  Taylor,  which  he  recommends 
in  the  fourth  edition  of  his  work,  and  of  which  he  has  given  a  sketch. 
Its  peculiar  advantage  is,  that,  simultaneously 
with  the  removal  of  the  top,  every  comb  can  be 
lifted  out  of  the  hive,  as  well  as  any  partial  depriva- 
tion of  honey  made.  The  hive  is  open  at  both 
ends  alike,  and  it  has  a  moveable  crown  board  of 
doubled  wood,  each  piece  being  not  less  than 
three  fourths  of  an  inch  in  thickness.  There  is  a 
four-inch  hole  in  it,  (or  as  Mr.  Taylor  suggests,)  if 
preferred,  two  or  three  smaller  ones.  It  will  be 
observed,  on  referring  to  the  sketch,  that  the  lesser  and  under  part  of 
the  crown  board  is  cut  away,  so  as  to  fall  within  the  diameter  of  the 


42  THE    COTTAGE    AND    FAKM    BEE    KEEPER. 

hive  ;  the  upper  part  being  made  an  inch  or  more  larger  in  diameter 
so  as  to  rest  on  the  topmost  band  of  the  hive.  My  own  hive  of  this 
principle  is,  I  think,  somewhat  an  improvement  on  the  above.  The 
crown  board — which,  Uke  Mr.  Taylor's,  is  constructed  of  two  pieces  of 
well-seasoned  wood,  planed  smooth  and  glued  together,  (the  grain  of 
the  wood  in  one  piece  crossing  the  grain  of  the  other,  to  prevent  warp- 
ing,) and  having  a  four-inch  hole  in  its  centre — is  not  made  to  fit  into 
the  hive's  inner  diameter,  but  the  two  pieces  of  which  it  is  composed 
being  made  of  exactly  the  same  diameter,  they  together  rest  on  the  upper 
edge  of  the  hive.  This  double  board  also 
projects  over  the  sides  of  the  hive  an  inch 
or  more.  There  are  two  ways  of  fastening 
it  to  the  hive ;  either  by  passing  three  or 
more  long  tliin  screws,  (well  greased  to  fa- 
cilitate their  removal,)  through  the  board 
into  a  stout  hoop  of  two  or  three  inches  in 
breadth,  (which  must  be  made  to  surround 
the  upper  part  of  the  hive,)  provided  this 
hoop  be  thick  enough;  or  by  the  use  of  hinges, 
or  rectangular  pieces  of  iron,  of  which  one 
leaf  is  screwed   to  the  under   side  of  the 

crown  board,  and  the  other  to  the  outer  side  of  the  hoop.  Two  or  three 
of  these  will  serve  to  keep  the  top  firmly  in  its  place,  assisted  by  the 
milk-pan  cover,  and  their  cost  is  a  mere  trifle.  Besides  the  hoop  of 
wood  just  mentioned,  (which  I  prefer  to  Mr.  Taylor's  external  band  of 
straw,)  there  should  be  a  second  hoop,  half  the  breadth  of  the  other, 
worked  into  the  lower  edge  or  base  of  the  hive.  The  method  of  ar- 
ranging the  tojj  here  proposed,  gives  many  of  the  advantages,  at  the 
same  time  that  it  avoids  the  extra  expense,  of  Mr.  Golding's  bar  hive. 
When  it  is  desired  to  get  at  the  interior,  all  that  is  requisite,  after 
driving  out  the  bees,  (temporarily  or  finally,)  is  to  pass  a  long  knife  or 
spatula,  under  the  crown  board  all  around,  thus  severing  the  combs 
completely  from  it ;  after  which,  the  screws  at  the  side  being  with- 
drawn, it  will  come  off'  at  once.  The  peculiar  sliape  of  the  hive,  sup- 
posing it  is  intended  as  a  substitute  for  Mr.  Golding's  hive ;  that  is, 
wider  at  one  end  than  at  the  other — renders  something  of  this  sort  neces- 
sary, as  the  combs  cannot  otherwise  be  got  out  entire,  neither  can  any 
partial  deprivation  of  the  honey  take  place,  which  will  often  be  desira- 


THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    REE    KEErEK.  43 

ble  after  a  good  seaso^*  It  is  evident,  also,  that  by  this  contrivance, 
no  more  comb  need  be  removed  from  the  hive  than  is  absokitely 
wanted,  whereas,  if  it  were  attempted,  according  to  the  old  plan,  to 
partially  deprive  a  stock,  in  order  to  get  at  the  honey,  the  whole  of 
a  comb  must  needs  be  cut  away,  and  much  of  it  wasted.  Now,  ou 
the  contrary,  it  need  not  be  even  severed  from  the  sides ;  but,  after  cut- 
ting out  a  sufficiency  of  ceiled  honey  comb,  say  two  or  three  inches 
deep,  the  lower  part  may  be  left  with  advantage  a  clear  gain  to  the 
bees  another  year,  who  will  quickly  fiU  up  the  vacant  space. 

It  is  certain,  however,  after  all,  that  no  hives  can  equal,  much  less 
surpass,  Mr.  Golding's  modification  of  the  Huish  or  Grecian  hive,  \yhich 
gives  to  the  apiarian  the  most  perfect  command  at  all  times  over  every 
movement  of  his  bees.  I  would  strongly  advise  the  amateur,  there- 
fore, to  use  this  in  preference  to  every  other  bee  domicile,  if  he  have 
a  just  confidence  in  his  skill  and  courage.  Hives  of  this  sort,  should, 
however,  be  constructed  of  two  separate  sizes,  as  those  already  de- 
scribed by  me  in  chapter  IV,  with  one  eud  of  the  hive  an  inch  wider 
in  diameter  than  the  other.  The  bars,  of 
which  there  may  be  about  eight  or  nine, 
are  affixed  to,  and  rest  upon,  the  upper- 
most band  of  straw,  at  the  hroader  end  of 
the  hive ;  these  should  be  distant  about  half 
an  inch  apart,  each  being  three  eighths  of 
an  inch  in  thickness,  and  oire  inch  and  one 
eighth  broad.  They  are  kept  in  their  places  ]\j;p  Golding  s  Hive. 
I'ly  small  pegs  of  wood,  or  iron  brads,  one 

inch  and  a  half  long,  which  penetrate  the  straw  at  each  end  of  the 
bars.  A.  baud  or  hoop  of  wood,  as  in  the  former  case,  encircles  the 
upper  part,  firmly  attached  to  the  hive,  but,  (unlike  the  former,)  pro- 
jecting three  eighths  of  an  inch  upwards,  so  as,  in  fact,  to  ))e  on  a  level 

*  I  think,  as  a  general  rule,  not  more  than  from  20  lbs.  to  23  lbs.  of  Aoney  should  be  allowed 
fur  the  winter  provision  of  a  stock  of  bees.  More  than  this  they  are  never  likely  to  require  ; 
and  what  surplus  they  have,  if  in  any  quantity  during  the  month  previous  to  the  swarm- 
ing season,  is  merely  an  incumbrance,  occupying  room  that  ought  to  be  taken  up  with 
young  grubs;  on  which  account  its  presence  may  be  considered  a  positive  evil.  Suppos- 
ing, therefore,  a  hive  intended  for  winter  stock  should  attain  to  the  weight  of  .TO  lbs.  con- 
tents, of  which  40  lbs.  is  reckoned  to  be  pure  honey,  as  much  as  IG  lbs.  may  be  safely  re- 
moved, but  not  ]noTe,  as  some  few  pounds  are  sure  to  be  wasted  in  the  process  of  depriva- 
tion, or  subsequently  by  the  bees  secreting  wax  ;  for  they  will  make  an  attempt  to  replace 
the  combs  irrunediately. 


44  TUii    COTTAGK    AND    FARM    BER   KEEPKR. 

with  the  bars,  in  order  that  the  oro^^oi  board,  ■v'mch  may  be  of  wood  or 
straw,  with  a  large  hole  in  it,  may  rest  flat  upon  all.  This,  as  in  the 
former  instance,  will  be  screwed  to  the  hoop,  whether  by  the  use  of 
hinges,  or  long  and  well-greased  screws  let  perpendicularly  through  it 
into  the  hoop.  The  crown  board  also  must  be  of  doubled  wood.  A 
little  nicety  is  required  in  the  careful  adjustment  of  the  several  parts 
of  this  hive,  but  this  will  be  readily  attended  to  by  an  intelligent 
workman. 

As  soon  as  constructed,  every  sort  of  straw  hive  should  receive  two 
coatings  of  thick  paint,  and  be  laid  aside  till  wanted.  It  need  hardly 
be  stated,  that  all  hives  hkely  to  be  wanted,  should  be  got  ready  early 
in  the  year,  that  the  smell  of  paint  may  quite  go  oflf  before  use,  as  bees 
are  not  unapt  to  leave  newly-painted  hives.  Every  winter  should  see 
a  fresh  coat  of  paint  given  to  all  the  hives  in  an  apiary ;  this  will  ma- 
terially tend  to  their  preservation  for  a  good  many  years.  As  a 
sequel  to  these  instructions,  let  me  add,  that  a  sufficient  stock  of  both 
sizes  must  be  kept  constantly  on  hand,  to  be  in  readiness  at  any  mo- 
ment ;  those  of  either  size  being  made  of  e'xactly  the  same  diameter, 
particularly  at  their  base,  for  faciUty  in  driving.  There  will,  of  course, 
be  required  a  greater  number  of  the  smaller  size,  two  of  which  are 
necessary  to  each  summer,  or  spoliation  colony. 

These  are  the  only  hives  that  I  at  all  recommend  for  an  out-door 
apiary.  Of  the  use  of  boxes  in  such  a  situation,  even  by  the  amateur, 
I  cannot  speak  too  deprecatingly,  save  only  of  the  very  ingenious 
double-bar  hives,  of  Mr.  Taylor's  invention ;  their  expense,  however, 
will  ever  prove  a  serious  objection  to  their  general  adoption ;  and  I 
am  disposed  to  question  even  their  perfect  suitability  to  stand  the  vi- 
cissitudes of  our  English  climate,  with  comfort  to  the  bees,  and  profit  to 
their  owner.  It  is  universally  allowed  that  Mr.  Nutt's  hives  have  proved 
a  signal  failure,  wherever  located  in  the  open  air;  in  proof  whereof,  it 
is  only  necessary  to  point  to  the  infinite  modifications  which  the  prin- 
ciple of  their  construction  has  undergone  to  suit  each  person's  experi- 
ence, and  to  remedy  its  thousand  inconveniences  and  defects.  And  I 
think,  if  the  truth  were  known,  many  a  complaint  has  arisen,  and  w411 
yet  arise,  against  even  Mr.  Taylor's  liives  of  wood.  It  stands  to  rea- 
son, that  wooden  boxes,  unprotected  by  a  bee  shed,  are  both  too  cold 
in  winter,  and  too  hot  in  summer,  for  an  exposed  situation  ;  hence  the 
almost  universal  outcry  against  them  throughout  the  length  and  breadth 
of  the  land. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

THE  AMATEUR  SYSTEM    OF  BEE   MANAGEMENT   IN  THE  OPEN  AIH. 

In  the  fifth  chapter  of  this  volume,  where  I  entered  into  a  detail  of  the 
cottage  system  which  I  approve  and  advocate,  it  will  have  been  ob- 
served that  I  have  studiously  ignored  and  carefully  avoided  to  recom- 
mend the  non-swarming  or  dei}riving  system,  as  it  is  practised  by  ma- 
ny of  our  scientific  apiarians.  I  have  done  so  advisedly,  from  a  per- 
suasion that  it  is  wholly  unsuited  to  cottagers  in  general ;  indeed,  how 
often  does  the  ingenuity  and  skill  requisite  to  its  successful  manage- 
ment baffle  the  best  endeavors  even  of  the  better  instructed  amateur 
to  master  it !  Not  only  so,  however,  I  cannot  say  that  I  am  disposed 
under  any  circumstances,  to  advocate  the  depriving  system,  in  its  in- 
tegrity, as  adapted  to  out-door  apiaries.  The  situation  must  be  very 
snug  indeed — the  shelter  from  storm  and  wind  most  perfect — which 
will  effectually  remove  the  anxious  fears  of  the  owner  of  a  tripled  or 
quadrupled  storified  colony  during  the  prevalence  of  a  strong  gale. 
There  must  be  a  perpetual  vigilance  on  his  part,  lest  some  untoward 
and  unforeseen  accident  should  arise  to  mar  his  hojies  by  endangering 
his  aspiring  structure.  If  even  Mr.  Taylor's  bar  hives  are  scarcely 
proof  against  misfortune,  how  much  less  so  are  the  not  seldom  ill-arran- 
ged erections  of  straw  which  one  generally  sees  I  Certainly  the  novice 
should  have  nothing  to  do  with  them,  except  he  have  a  bee  house  in 
which  to  place  them.  "Whether  to  the  amateur  or  cottager,  therefore, 
who  may  prefer,  from  whatever  cause,  the  establishment  of  a  garden 
apiary,  my  advice  is  the  same — ^be  content  with  a  modification  of  the 
depriving  system,  similar  to  that  already  described ;  it  will  be  found  a 
much  safer  and  more  easy  method  of  bee-keeping ;  nor  am  I  certain 
that  such  a  method  would  be  found  a  whit  less  productive  and  remu- 
nerating than  the  much- vaunted  non-swarming  system.     The  glasses 


46  THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER, 

which  may  be  filled  by  his  populous  stocks  before  swarming,  and  the 
produce  of  liis  yearling  or  spoliation  swarms,  will,  I  am  persuaded,  be 
found  as  great,  or  nearly  so,  as  if  he  had  piled  box  on  box  or  hive  on 
hive  ;*  Avhile  he  will  be  able  to  maintain  his  stocks  in  perpetual  vigor, 
wliich  the  advocate  of  the  depriving  system  will  hardly  be  able  to  do, 
except  at  a  disadvantage. 

The  plan,  therefore,  Avhich  I  am  about  to  recommend  in  tliis  chapter 
to  the  especial  notice  of  the  amateur  is  not  diverse  in  its  main  features 
from  that  suggested  to  the  cottager.  It  is  the  same  in  respect  to  the 
size  and  shape  of  the  several  sorts  of  hives,  differing  only  in  the  use 
of  bars  and  a  moveable  top ;  it  is  the  same  in  its  apparatus  of  shelter 
from  the  weather ;  the  same  in  the  after  treatment  of  casts  and  swarms ; 
the  same  in  the  selection  of  winter  stock ;  in  the  system  of  comb  re- 
newal ;  of  changing  and  cleansing  of  boards ;  of  winter  protection  ; 
of  harvesting  honey,  &c.,  &c.  In  these  general  matters,  no  different 
plan  do  I  now  propose ;  both  systems  have  similar  features  of  simplic- 
ity and  economy  of  management  thus  far,  while  both  promise  equally 
well  in  the  matter  of  profit. 

To  the  amateur,  however,  whose  intelligence  we  may  suppose  to  be 
of  a  higher  kind  than  that  of  the  cottager,  and  whose  facilities  for  car- 
tying  out  interesting  and  delicate  experiments  are  greater,  owing  to 
command  of  time  and  opportunity,  I  would  suggest  the  management 
of  his  swarms  according  to  the  artificial  system,  by  which,  if  I  mistake 
not,  he  will  gain  several  very  important  advantages.  I  am  aware  that, 
however  I  may  have  been  patiently  followed  up  to  this  point,  my  book 
is  now  in  danger  of  being  condemned  by  the  old-fashioned  and  stand- 
still bee  master,  who,  true  to  the  character  which  Horace  gives,  is  now, 
as  in  ancient  times,  a  laudator  temporis  adi,  [a  praiser  of  past  times,] 
whose  prejudices  are  ever  prone  to  carry  him  back  to  the  days  of  his 
great  grandfather,  instead  of  forward  to  the  improving  age  of  more 
experienced  posterity.  Nevertheless,  I  persist  in  my  recommendation, 
being  convinced  of  its  practicabiUty  and  value. 

*  It  will  possibly,  though  very  rarely,  happen,  that  the  use  of  a  third  hive  may  seem  lu- 
quisite,  as  when  the  season  is  remarkably  good,  or  a  swarm  unusually  large.  So  averse 
am  I,  however,  to  resort  to  this,  that  I  should  rather  advise  the  use  of  a  suptr  of  the  larger 
sort,  instead  of  the  smaller  size,  (as  recommended  for  spoliation  swarms,)  which  would  no 
doubt  fully  meet  every  emergency.  It  should  be  set  over  the  swarm  shortly  after  the  bees 
have  begun  to  work  in  earnest. 


THE    COTTAGE    AXD    FARM    BP.R    KEEPF.R.  4*7 

That  a.  process  so  obviously  advantageous  as  this,  if  it  can  only  be 
proved  feasible  in  general,  and  successful  as  feasible,  should  yet  have 
been  so  httle  uoticed,  or  its  probable  uses  so  Uttle  tested,  is  a  matter 
of  no  small  marvel  to  me,  especially  when  we  consider  that  most  bee 
writers  have  professed  themselves  acquainted  with  it,  and  we  have  not 
been  wanting  in  apiarians  of  scientific  attainments,  animated  by  a 
spirit  of  curious  inquiiy.  De  GreUeu  tells  us,  that  in  liis  time,  the  prac- 
tice of  artificial  swarming  on  a  most  elaborate  principle  was  common 
enough  in  Germany  at  the  close  of  the  last  century — thanks  to  the 
industry  of  M.  Shirach  in  propagating  his  views  and  system  of  bee 
management^ — so  that  persons  bred  up  to  the  business  used  to  wander 
about  from  village  to  village,  in  the  season,  managing  the  considerable 
apiaries  of  the  country  people  in  tliis  way.  This  proves  the  recogni- 
tion of  the  value  of  the  principle  by  the  Germans,  and  I  see  no  reason 
why  it  should  be  unrecognised  among  ourselves.  If  the  Germans 
found  their  method  of  conducting  the  process  answer,  and  were  not 
deterred  from  adopting  it  in  spite  of  its  complexity,  why  should  it  be 
too  difficult  for  us  ?  Moreover,  the  process  has  become  so  sLmphfied 
of  late  years,  that  the  veriest  novic?  can  understand  and  manage  it. 

I  beheve  we  are  indebted  to  Bonner,  the  celebrated  Scotch  apiarian, 
for  having  first  introduced  the  subject  .to  public  notice  in  England. 
His  work  was  reviewed  by  Keys,  who  makes  some  passing  observa- 
tions on  his  particular  method,  and  acknowledges  its  ingenuity.  Keys 
himself,  who  was  on  the  point  of  pubhshing  the  second  edition  of  Iris 
book  just  as  Bonner's  work  issued  from  the  press,  has  given  us  two 
methods  of  forming  artificial  swarms,  in  such  vague  language,  how- 
ever, (as  sufficiently  betrays  liis  practical  ignorance  of  what  he  -wrote 
about,)  that  he  has  most  justly  pronounced  against  them,  that  "  they 
are  inapphcable  to  general  practice."  Bonner's  method  was  far  more 
"  ingenious,"  as  Keys  allows,  and,  indeed,  it  may  be  considered  the 
origina:!  of  the  method  hereafter  to  be  detailed.  To  this  must  yield 
even  the  plan  advocated  and  recommended  by  Dr.  Bevan,  a  great  au- 
thority in  most  apiarian  matters.  Bonner's  j^lan  is  the  foundation  of 
the  method  wliich  appears  to  have  been  practised  with  much  success 
by  the  late  Dr.  Scudamore,  a  physician  of  Canterbury,  who  wrote  a 
httle  book  on  the  subject  of  artificial  swarms,  not  long  ago,  wliich  has 
seen  two  editions,  and  to  which  I  acknowledge  myself  indebted  for 
the  outUne  of  the  plan  recommended  in  these  pages,  and  of  much  of 


48  THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPEU. 

its  detail.  His  pamphlet,  though  small,  is  exceedingly  to  the  point ; 
and  I  think  all  scientific  apiarians  owe  him  a  debt  of  gratitude  for  that 
little  work.  The  result  of  my  experience  during  the  summer  of  1850, 
when  I  assisted  in  forming  for  myself  and  others  some  seven  or  eight 
such  swarms,  in  accordance  with  its  instructions,  has  convinced  me 
that  the  artificial  management  of  an  apiary,  (if  it  may  be  so  called.)  is 
perfectly  easy,  and  may  be  had  recourse  to  most  successfully,  although 
not  every  instruction  given  in  that  book  is  to  be  absolutely  relied  on 
or  followed.  A  modification  of  it,  ho\vever,  will,  in  the  hands  of  a  spir- 
ited bee  master,  be  found  very  successful.  I  am  not  at  all  sanguine, 
however — desirable  and  extremely  interesting  and  profitable  too  as 
the  process  may  be — that  it  will  become  generally  adopted,  at  least, 
for  a  long  time  to  come,  if  we  take  into  consideration  the  considerable 
acquaintance  with  the  economy  of  the  hive  and  the  habits  of  bees, 
which  is  necessary  to  success  in  this  matter ;  when  also  we  know  that 
the  great  majority  of  bee  keepers  in  this  country  are  about  as  ignorant 
of  what  passes  on  in  the  interior  of  a  hive  as  of  the  occupation  of  the 
man  in  the  moon.  In  the  case  of  ^ny  emergency  arising,  (and  it  need 
not  be  a  very  uncommon  one,)  most  bee  keepers  are  at  fault.  Hence, 
old  Bonner's  observations  were  perfectly  true,  that,  however  '■  profit- 
able the  driving  of  bees  to  make  artificial  swarms  may  be,  when  prop- 
erly performed  by  skillful  bee  masters,  yet  it  always  has  been,  and  ever 
will  be,  destructive  to  bees  if  performed  by  unskUlful  persons."  I 
would  wish  it  to  be  clearly  understood,  therefore,  that  I  by  no  means 
recommend  the  indiscriminate  adoption  of  this  practice  by  those  who 
are  still  in  the  infancy  of  their  knowledge  of  the  bee  art.  This  chap- 
ter must  be  considered  as  addressed  esoterically  to  the  initiated,  or  at 
least  to  those  who  are  passionate  admirers  of  the  honey  bee;  and  these 
are  not  usually  such  as  are  contented  to  remain  on  the  threshold,  as  it 
were,  of  their  favorite  recreative  pursuit. 

To  proceed  then — the  best  time  for  the  formation  of  artificial  swarms 
will  depend  upon  two  things ;  the  state  of  the  season,  and  the  condition 
of  the  stock  to  be  operated  upon. 

When  the  spring  is  early  and  the  weather  propitious,  a  swarm  may 
be  forced  to  issue,  without  danger  to  the  prosperity  of  either  swarm 
or  parent  hive,  as  early  as  towards  the  close  of  AprU.  Instances  are 
on  record  of  the  issue  of  natural  swarms  as  early  as  tliis ;  and  nature 
is  no  bad  guide  to  follow  in  our  imitation  or  conduct  artificially  of  any 


THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER.  49 

of  her  processes.  But  the  season  must  be  remarkably  forward,  indeed, 
which  witnesses  such  an  occurrence  in  this  country,  or  else  some  de- 
fect will  be  found  to  exist  in  the  hive  whence  the  issue  takes  place  ; 
whether  from  tlie  existence  of  the  wax  moth,  the  presence  of  very 
old  comb;  or  some  similar  cause.  Neither  when  such  does  occur  is  it 
often  that  the  bee  master  can  congratulate  himself  upon  the  cir- 
cumstance, for  it  is  not  the  earUest  swarm  wliieh  is  on  that  account 
the  best.  Whatever  the  bees  may  do  naturally,  however,  I  should 
recommend  the  forcing  of  swarms  artificially  to  be  delayed  till  after 
the  second  week  in  May  under  any  circumstances,  because  of  the  well- 
known  fickleness  of  the  season  at  that  period  of  the  year,  and  the 
chances  of  starvation  and  other  evils  endangering  the  very  existence 
of  both  issued  swarm  and  parent  stock  from  chilling  rains  or  bluster- 
ing weather.  Indeed,  it  is  better  to  wait  till  after  the  third  week  of 
this  month  is  over,  (except  in  a  remarkably  fine  and  early  season.) 
even  though  the  stock  should  appear  otherwise  ready  for  it.  I  have 
observed  that  very  early  swarms,  even  in  May,  do  not  in  general  pros- 
per so  well  as  those  that  have  proceeded  later  in  the  month.  It  would 
seem  as  if,  the  first  anxious  start  of  the  hive  having  been  checked  by 
unseasonable  weather,  the  bees'  ardor  had  become  cooled  and  their 
spirits  discouraged,  so  that  on  the  return  of  really  propitious  weather 
they  have  no  heart  to  work  with  the  same  dihgence  as  other  swarms 
which  have  issued  in  the  very  midst  of  the  busy  season.  Perhaps  the 
most  suitable  time  of  any,  other  things  considered.)  presents  with  the 
first  considerable  collection  of  honey.  As  soon  as  the  weather  from 
being  cold  or  chilly  has  changed  to  a  temperature  of  a  close  thundery 
nature,  when  honey  is  sure  to  abound,  (at  which  time  every  good  stock 
will  about  have  reached  its  climax  of  vigor  for  the  year,  though  this 
does  not  usujdly  take  place  tiU  towards  the  end  of  May,)  let  the  ope- 
ration be  performed  if  the  bees  have  not  themselves  swarmed  natu- 
rally. I  lay  great  stress  upon  waiting  till  this  moment,  if  circumstan- 
ces allow  the  bee  master  to  wait  so  long,  because  no  sooner  does 
honey  abound,  than  the  bees  greatly  shght  the  queen's  convenience. 
She  is  still,  it  may  be,  as  desirous  as  ever  to  lay  her  eggs,  (nay,  per- 
haps, more  so — for  I  am  not  one  of  those  who  think  the  queen  bee 
relaxes  her  deposit  of  eggs  after  what  is  called  her  "  great  laying  "  is 
over)  ;  but  another  instinct  besides  that  of  preservation  of  their  spe- 
cies occupies  the  bees'  attention,  namely,  that  of  preparation  for  a  day 


50  THE  COTTAGE  AND  FARM  EEE  KEEPER, 

of  scarcity,  so  that  in  the  all-absorbing  search  for,  and  storing  of,  honey, 
the  breeding  space  of  the  liive  becomes  rapidly  contracted.*  It  is  ev- 
ident, therefore,  that  now,  on  the  eve  of  honey-gathering,  is  the  most 
suitable  moment  for  the  forcing  of  artificial  swarms.  Every  comb  is 
at  this  time  fuU  of  brood,  %v}iich  iviU  ensure  the  after  prosperity  of  the 
hive,  wliile  such  an  abounding  population  has  been  hatched  already, 
as  to  hold  out  the  prospect  of  a  rich  autumn  spoUation  of  the  early 
one. 

The  criterion  of  preparedness  for  experiment  on  the  part  of  a  stock 
is  various.  First,  tliere  must  be  an  abounding  and  vigorously-working 
population,  tlironging  the  entrance  in  warm  weather — sometimes  it 
may  be  Ixanging  in  clusters  from  the  alighting  board  ;t  and  secondly, 


*  See  Appendix,  Note  E. 

t  The  clustering  of  bees  outside  the  hive — though  it  may  sometimes  occur  immediately 
on  a  change  of  weather,  as  from  cold  to  heat — usually  takes  place  gradually,  and  some  days 
after  the  occurrence  of  the  change.  It  is  a  sign  in  general  that  swarming,  whether  artifi- 
cial or  natural,  has  been  retarded  too  long,  or,  at  least,  that  the  former  should  be  had  re- 
course to  immediately.  If  the  plan  of  forcing  them  be  adopted,  as  recommended  above, 
great  care  must  be  taken  in  manipulating  the  parent  hive,  for  the  temperature  of  the  stock, 
under  such  circumstances — it  being  densely  filled  with  a  teeming  population — is  usually 
very  high,  on  which  account  there  exists  much  danger  of  the  combs  giving  way.  If,  there- 
fore, a  hive  has  been  suffered,  from  neglect  or  other  unavoidable  cause,  to  proceed  to  this  con- 
dition,and  the  bees  hang  out  in  great  numbers,  perhaps  Dr.  Sevan's  plan  may  be  had  recourse 
to  in  preference  to  any  other  method.  "Towards  noon  of  a  fine  day,  (says  that  celebrated 
apiarian,)  or  almost  at  any  time,  let  the  stock  hive  be  removed  to  a  distance,  and  a  spare  hive 
(such  as  a  Golding"s  bar  hive)  be  put  in  its  place,  to  one  bar  of  which  (taken  out  of  a 
similar  bar  hive,  if  there  are  any  such  in  the  apiary — a  fresh  bar  being  given  to  the  stock 
from  which  it  was  taken)  is  attached  a  comb  containing  worker  bees'  eggs,  or  very  young 
larva;  of  the  same  order,  (l)ut  there  should  be  eggs  in  every  case,  I  think ;)  the  out-liers,  or 
the  bees  that  are  abroad,  or  both,  as  the  case  may  be,  will  then  enter  the  new  habitation, 
cluster  round  the  brood,  construct  one  or  more  royal  cells  to  inclose  one  or  more  of  the  eggs 
to  raise  a  young  sovereign.  If  the  season  be  favorable,  they  will  thus  ^orm  a  flourishing 
stock,  whilst  the  old  removed  family,  with  beneficially  diminished  numbers,  will  soon  be 
reconciled  to  their  new  situation,  and  attend  to  their  usual  avocations  as  if  nothing  had 
happened."  Or  still  better,  perhaps,  (because  the  removal  of  a  whole  comb  from  another 
hive  might  check  its  tendency  to  swarm.)  I  advise  the  use  of  a  beeglass,  four  inches  in  di- 
ameter, into  which  a  piece  of  worker  comb  is  introduced,  set  over  the  hole  at  the  top  of  the 
new  hive.  The  process  of  rearing  a  queen  artificially  before  the  eyes  of  the  bee  master, 
will  form  an  interesting  feature  in  the  apiarian  memoranda  of  the  year.  Dr.  Sevan  con- 
tinues :  "  The  brood  comb,  which  should  not  be  less  than  two  or  three  inches  in  diameter, 
may  be  supplied  from  any  hive  that  can  spare  it  ;  but  if  not  taken  from  a  loose-barred 
hive  of  suitable  dimensions,  it  may  be  separated  from  its  original  attachments ;"'  that  is, 
cut  out  of  any  comb  in  any  hive,  and  adjusted  anyhow  in  the  bee  glass,  or  against  thff 
side  of  the  hive  which  the  new  swarm  is  intended  t(.  occupy.     The  bees  will  soon  glue  it 


THE    COTTAGE    AN'D    FA1?M    BKE    KEEPER.  51 

the  presence  of  drones  is  requisite  in  considerable  force.  As  soon,  in- 
deed, as  it  is  ascertained  that  these  exist  in  any  number  in  a  hive,  even 
if  still  unhatched,  the  operation  may  be  performed  -without  fear  of  ill 
success,  although,  to  insure  the  full  prosperity  of  both  swarm  and  pa- 
rent stock,  (especially  the  latter,)  a  good  many  of  them  ought  first  to 
be  seen  coursing  about  in  the  open  air,  which  they  will  be  sure  to  do 
in  the  middle  of  every  warm  day,  some  time  between  the  hours  of  10 
A.  M.  and  4  p.  m. 

The  desirableness  of  delay  till  these  appear  in  sufficient  numbers,  is 
based  on  the  following  considerations : — It  is  known  that  in  general, 
about  the  20th  day  after  the  queen  has  begun  her  great  laying  of  drone 
eggs,  the  bees,  if  they  deem  it  necessary,  (either  from  foresight  of  her 
majesty's  approaching  end,  or  of  the  probability  of  an  excess  of  pop- 
ulation over  the  hive  accommodation,)  commence  the  foundations  of 
royal  cells,  into  each  of  which  the  queen,  if  her  judgment  coincides 
with  that  of  her  subjects,  deposits  a  female  egg,  with  a  certain  interval 
between  each.  The  first  royal  egg,  however,  is  seldom  laid  till  many 
di'ones  are  preparing  to  leave  their  ceUs,  often  not  till  some  have  actu- 
ally appeared  in  the  open  air.  The  reasonableness,  therefore,  of  wait- 
ing tiU  at  least  a  week  has  elapsed  after  the  first  appearance  of  drones, 
before  compelling  the  issue  of  an  artificial  swarm,  is  at  once  evident, 
as  it  is  desirable  that  one  or  more  royal  eggs  should  at  least  be  laid  in 
the  hive  before  the  queen  mother  leaves  it,  as  well  to  spare  the  re- 
maining bees  the  trouble  of  raising  a  sovereign  artificially,  (which  is 
further  injurious  to  the  prosperity  of  the  hive,  owing  to  the  time  that 
must  elapse  before  any  brood  can  be  perfected  in  it,)  as  to  prevent  the 
liability  of  accident  arising  fi-om  the  possible  absence  of  eggs  or  suit- 
able brood  wherewith  to  raise  such  a  queen. 

Let  us  then  suppose  that  the  amateur  bee  keeper  has  formed  the 
conclusion  that  one  of  his  stocks  is  in  a  sufficiently  forward  state  to  be 
operated  upon — from  the  appearance  of  di'ones,  the  abundance  of  pop- 
ulation, &c.,  and  also  that  a  favorable  opportunity  presents  in  the 

firmly  in  its  place  •with  wax  and  propolis.  If  this  method  of  artificial  STvarming  he  adop- 
ted, the  new  stock  so  made,  having  a  young  queen,  should  by  all  means,  if  heavy  enough, 
be  preserved  to  another  year.  In  this  case,  the  old  hive,  if  it  be  a  Grecian  one,  ehould  imme- 
diately be  surmounted  by  a  spare  super  or  large  bee  glass,  and  be  treated  in  the  autumn  as 
a  yearling  swarm.  Should  it  show  symptoms  of  swarming,  drive  out  the  bees,  cut  every 
royal  cell  away,  and  return  the  population. 


52  THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    DEE    KEEPFR. 

state  of  the  weather,  wliich  ought  absolutely  to  be  perfectly  calm — 
the  golden  hour  is  arrived ;  let  him  sally  forth  to  his  apiary.  The 
cloudier  the  day  the  better ;  if  the  sun  shines,  however,  let  the  opera- 
tion be  conducted  in  the  shade  of  some  friendly  wall  or  overhanging 
tree. 

There  ought  generally  to  be  two  persons  assisting  in  the  operation, 
both  well  armed  with  bee  dress  and  gloves ;  for  this  is  sometimes  a 
business  of  no  little  peril,  although  in  most  cases  I  have  found  the 
bees  remarkably  quiet.  The  instinct  of  loyalty,  or  the  passion  of  fear, 
seems  at  such  times  to  neutralise  all  other  passions  and  instincts.  Ev- 
ery article  requisite  for  the  operation  of  driving  having  also  been  pro- 
vided, and  lying  by  ready  for  use,  let  the  business  be  opened,  (say  at 
about  10  o'clock,  a.  m.,)  by  the  chief  operator  seizing  hold  of  the  full 
hive,  which  must  be  very  carefully  and  gently  adjusted  bottom  up- 
wards in  a  paU,  while  the  assistant  replaces  it  instantly  with  an  empty 
hive,  to  amuse  the  bees,  as  they  come  back  from  the  fields,  and  those 
also  which  may  chance  to  escape  during  the  process  which  follows. 
A  second  empty  hive  is  now  placed  over  the  full  one  reversed,  the 
cloth  thrown  over  both,  and  tied  securely  round ;  after  which,  drum- 
ming with  sticks  is  resorted  to  until  the  bees  have  hummed  themselves 
up  into  their  temporary  attic ;  in  short,  the  same  treatment  is  adopted 
as  in  the  process  of  autumnal  driving  already  described.  The  greatest 
care,  however,  must  be  taken  throughout  to  avoid  the  slightest  jar  or 
concussion  of  the  full  hive,  both  in  moving  it  and  drumming  it  after- 
wards, so  as  in  no  way  to  endanger  the  breaking  of  the  combs  inside. 
These  being  mostly  heavy  with  brood,  the  heat  of  the  hive,  too,  being 
very  great,  (often  above  100°  F.,)  any  violent  handUng  would  be  sure 
to  dislodge  some  of  them.*  When  it  becomes  evident,  by  the  loud 
humming  within,  that  the  bees  have  begun  to  climb,  in  which  case 
the  queen  is  almost  sure  to  be  with  them,  let  the  upper  hive  be  taken 
off.  Ten  minutes,  or  even  less,  will  generally  suffice  for  the  operatiou 
at  this  time ;  because  it  is  desirable  to  leave  a  considerable  quantity 
of  bees  behind  in  the  old  hive  to  hatch  out  the  remaining  brood. 
When  taken  off,  the  hive  into  which  the  bees  have  ascended,  if  it  is 
the  intended  permanent  dwelling  of  the  bees,  must  be  placed  on  a 
bottom  board,  and  set  as  near  as  may  be  to  the  old  stand,  on  a  stool 

*  See  Appendix,  Note  F. 


THE    COTTAGE     AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER.  53 

or  table — not  on  the  stand  itself,  to  avoid  crushing  any  of  the  throng- 
ing bees  about  it.  In  a  few  minutes,  if  the  queen  be  in  it,  all  the  out- 
lying insects — those,  I  mean,  which  have  returned  from  the  fields,  and 
have  hitherto  been  busied  in  searching  for  their  home  and  their  queen 
— will  have  joyously  entered  it.  Towards  evening,  it  may  be  put  on 
the  stand  from  which  the  old  hive  was  taken.  Should  it  be  desired 
to  settle  the  bees  in  another  hive  than  that  in  which  they  were  driven, 
(and  I  advise  the  use  of  the  smaller  double  hive  for  autumn  spoliation, 
see  Chapter  lY.)  all  that  is  required,  is  to  knock  them  out  en  masse 
upon  the  ground  in  front  of  the  hive,  wliich  ought  before  to  have  been 
set,  (likewise  on  the  ground,)  on  its  own  board,  one  side  of  it  also  be- 
ing sUghtly  elevated  on  wedges.  ^Vhen  the  major  part  of  the  swarm 
have  crept  up  into  it,  let  it  be  gently  removed  to  a  position  near  to 
the  old  stand,  and  treated  as  in  the  other  case. 

While  one  person  is  thus  employed,  let  the  other,  immediately  on 
seeing  the  upper  hive  taken  off,  turn  the  old  hive  upon  a  bottom  board, 
and,  should  he  perceive  neither  too  many  nor  too  few  bees  in  it,  carry 
it  to  a  distant  and  shady  part  of  the  garden,  or  to  its  intended  stand, 
where,  however,  it  must  be  kept  as  cool  as  possible.  Without  loss  of 
time,  in  order  to  prevent  the  escape  of  too  many  bees,  let  him  tie  it 
up  with  the  hst  bandage,  previously  thrusting  a  few  pieces  of  slate 
under  the  edge  of  the  hive,  to  allow  of  the  admission  of  air.  In  this 
state,  it  must  remain  till  the  third  morning,  early,  when  the  list  band- 
age may  be  unfastened.  An  immediate  I'ush  of  bees  vnU  take  place, 
some  of  whom  will  find  their  way  back  to  their  old  locality,  now  oc- 
cupied by  the  new  swarm ;  nor  is  it  to  be  considered  a  misfortune  that 
they  should  do  so,  as  they  wiU  beneficially  strengthen  it.  The  most 
part,  however,  will  certainly  return  back  again  to  the  old  hive  on  the 
new  stand,  which  will  in  a  few  days  seem  as  populous  as  ever,  owing 
to  the  rapid  development  of  brood. 

Should  it  have  been  found,  however,  on  removing  the  upper  hive, 
that  only  a,  few  have  ascended  into  it,  then  must  it  be  first  ascertained 
if  the  queen  is  among  them.  This  will  quickly  appear  by  knocking 
them  out  in  firont  of  their  intended  dwelling;  for,  while  they  will 
march  readily  up  into  it,  if  she  is  with  them,  they  will,  on  the  other 
hand,  missing  her,  soon  be  in  a  fever  of  anxiety  and  restlessness.  In 
the  former  case,  set  the  new  hive  on  the  old  stand  at  once,  while  the 
old  hive  is  removed,  but  to  a  greater  distance,  and  treated  as  before, 


54  TIIR    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER. 

only,  instead  of  tying  it  up,  the  bees  must  be  suflered  to  escape  from 
it  until  the  new  swarm  is  strengthened  sufficiently,  after  which  it  may 
be  tied  up  till  the  third  morning.  Should  it  appear,  however,  that  the 
queen  is  not  among  them,  take  two  of  the  combs  from  the  old  hive, 
which  seem  fullest  of  eggs  and  young  brood ;  next  arrange  these  in 
the  new  hive,  leaning  one  against  another,  or  against  the  side,  but  in 
such  a  manner  that,  on  the  introduction  of  the  bees,  these  combs  shall  not 
possibly  fall  down  flat.  The  best  way  to  do  this,  is  to  remove  the  top 
from  the  hive,  (which  mast  be  set  first  on  its  board,)  replacing  it  after 
the  combs  have  been  well  disposed  inside.  Now  carry  the  hive,  board 
and  all,  to  the  old  stand,  and  either  slide  it  on  the  pedestal,  to  avoid 
crushing  any  of  the  bees,  which  will  be  sure  to  throng  it,  or  else  put 
it  on  a  stool  close  by.  In  a  few  minutes,  the  agitated  bees  will  scent 
it  out,  and  speedily  take  possession.  The  old  hive,  in  this  case,  must 
not  be  closed  at  all,  in  order  to  facilitate  as  much  as  possible  the  es- 
caj^e  of  the  bees,  many  of  whom  will  fly  off  straight  to  the  old  place, 
now  occupied  by  the  new  swarm.  These  will  proceed  forthwith  to 
rear  a  queen  artificially.  It  might  be  an  advantage,  perhaps,  to  tie 
up  the  old  hive,  unfastening  the  bandage  every  now  and  then,  for  a 
few  miuutes  at  a  time.  In  this  case,  many  bees  would  escape,  and 
not  being  able  to  return,  would  naturally  stay  with  the  new  swarm, 
if  not  previously  disposed  to  do  so. 

Or  if  this  plan  be  thought  too  difficult  and  hazardous,  the  old  hive 
must  be  replaced  upon  its  stand  till  another  opportunity  occurs.  In 
either  case  the  emergency  which  will  require  this  treatment  is  a  rare 
one,  as  in  nineteen  instances  in  twenty  the  bees  Avill  readily  follow 
their  queen,  who  on  her  side  will  as  readily  ascend. 

Again,  should  too  many  ascend  on  the  first  driving,  (and,  if  possible, 
two  or  three  thousand  bees  should  ])e  left  to  feed  the  young  brood, 
and  attend  generally  to  the  business  of  the  hive,)  let  the  old  stock  be 
replaced  on  its  wonted  stand  for  a  few  minutes,  until  a  sufficient  num- 
ber of  bees  shall  have  entered  into  it.  It  may  then  be  tied  up  as  it 
stands  on  the  board,  and  board  and  all  be  removed  to  the  place  inten- 
ded for  it ;  the  new  swarm  on  a  fresh  board  may  then  be  substituted 
for  it  in  the  manner  already  pointed  out.  This  treatment  will  be  found 
most  efficacious  in  dividing  the  population  of  th(>  old  stock  in  its  due 
proportions. 

Let  us  suppose,  however,  that  everything  succeeded  Avell  accord- 


THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER.  55 

ing  to  the  method  first  detailed,  Wliat,  it  may  be  asked,  is  the  several 
condition  of  tlie  two  hives?  In  the  neiv  hive  on  the  old  stand  is,  or 
oiiglit  to  ho,  a  powerful  swarm  of  more  than  ordinary  size,  which,  being 
formed  in  tlie  prime  of  the  year,  will  work  with  astonishing  vigor, 
and  increase  rapidly  in  weight.  This  is  what  I  have  before  termed 
the  spoliation  swarm,  whose  entire  plunder  will  take  place  about  the 
first  week  in  August,  if  put  into  a  small  hive,  and  not  intended  for 
preservation.  Shortly  after  its  establishment,  that  is,  some  time  in  the 
course  of  the  next  week,  it  must  be  surmounted  by  another  hive  or 
super  of  about  the  same  dimensions  in  ordinary  seasons.  In  the  old 
stock  is  no  queen  at  present;  but,  doubtless,  royal  nymphs,  or  larva?, 
of  various  ages,  one  or  other  of  which  wiU  succeed  to  the  vacant  sov- 
ereignty of  the  hive  in  a  few  days ,  if  the  swarm  were  forced  at  the 
proper  time.  When  the  bandage  is  unfastened  on  the  third  morning, 
the  bees  by  that  time  will  long  have  ceased  to  forget  their  old  queen, 
their  whole  attention  being  now  given  to  the  wants  of  the  rising 
brood  of  royalty  on  wliich  their  hopes  depend.  If  there  chanced  to 
be  no  royal  brood,  (as  it  is  always  desirable  there  should  be,)  they 
will  already  have  set  about  rearing  a  queen  artificially.  Could  the 
interior  of  the  liive  be  seen  at  this  time,  the  rudiments  of  three  or 
more  roj^al  cells  would  be  distinguished  rising  out  of  the  centre  of  the 
combs  in  different  parts  of  the  hive.  I  presume  that  in  the  present 
day  there  are  no  sceptics  to  be  found  as  to  this  sing-ular  fact  in  the 
liistory  of  the  bee — their  power,  I  mean,  to  transform  a  worker  egg 
or  worm  into  a  queen.  Should  any  such  be  a  reader  of  these  pages, 
I  can  give  him  distinct  assurance,  that  no  less  than  three  several  instan- 
ces of  the  rearing  of  artificial  queens  came  under  my  notice  last  sum- 
mer, and  there  are  many  witnesses  to  the  fact. 

We  will  now  foUow  the  after  treatment  of  these  stocks.  The  new 
swarm,  (if  intended  for  autumn  plunder,)  must  be  shortly  enlarged  by 
additional  hive  room,  and  treated  in  general  exactly  in  the  manner 
already  pointed  out  in  a  former  chapter  for  the  management  of  year- 
ling or  spoliation  swarms.* 

With  respect  to  the  old  hive,  out  of  which  the  old  queen  was  driven, 
together  with  the  prime  swarm,  I  difler  from  Dr.  Scudamore  as  to  the 
best  method  in  which  it  should  be  dealt  with.     His  instructions  on 

•  See  Appendix,  Note  G. 


66  THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER. 

this  point  are  not  very  clear ;  at  least,  he  gives  us  to  suppose,  that  at 
the  end  of  fourteen  or  sixteen  days,  the  hive  will  be  ready  for  forcing 
the  second  swarm,  all  the  brood,  with  the  exception,  perhaps,  of  a  few 
drones,  having  been  hatched  out.  Now,  if  the  old  queen  was  laying 
up  to  the  very  eve  of  her  departure  from  the  hive,  there  will  still  be 
left  unhatched  all  the  brood  from  the  eggs  that  were  laid  during  the 
five  or  seven  days  last  previous  to  her  expulsion,  whether  drone  or 
worker*;  that  is,  from  1,000  to  5,000  bees,  according  to  the  size  of  the 
hive  and  the  state  of  the  season — a  number  in  either  case  too  consid- 
erable to  be  lost.  Moreover,  if  the  young  queen  had  to  be  reared 
artificially^  she  would  probably  not  have  issued  from  her  cell  by  tliis 
time ;  and  at  least  twenty  days  ought,  I  think,  to  be  allowed  for  her 
to  gain  the  necessary  strength  before  her  expulsion  in  turn.  On  the 
other  hand,  if,  (as  is  much  to  be  desired)  the  young  queen  were  ready 
to  leave  her  cell  shortly  after  the  removal  of  the  old  mother,  there  is 
every  probability  of  a  still  greater  breadth  of  comb  being  occupied  with 
eggs  laid  by  her,  which  the  bee  master  will  be  equally  loath  to  destroy. 
For  these  reasons,  and  for  others  far  more  weighty,  (see  what  I  have 
said  on  tliis  point  in  Chapter  V,)  I  do  not  advise  the  forcing  or  suffer- 
ing the  issue  of  any  second  sivarni  at  all.  Instead  thereof,  I  would 
recommend  that  the  old  hive,  having  a  young  queen,  be  kept  as  it  is 
for  winter  stock.  In  this  case,  it  will  be  treated  in  a  precisely  similar 
manner  to  that  described  for  the  management  of  his  old  hives  by  the 
cottager,  (see  Chapter  V).  Should  a  cast  issue  naturally,  for  instance, 
(which  is  not  very  hkely,)  it  should  be  returned  at  once,  after  exci- 
sion of  all  the  royal  cells  that  can  be  got  at.  Dr.  Scudamore  gives  an 
additional  reason  for  his  recommendation  of  artificial  cast-forcing, 
namely,  that  the  plunder  of  the  old  hive  at  this  time  would  put  the  bee 
master  in  possession  of  an  early  harvest  at  the  best  season  of  the  year. 
But  the  quantity  of  honey  gained  will  be  but  a  poor  compensation  for 
the  expenditure  of  honey  by  the  Ijpes  in  the  construction  of  fresh 
comb  in  a  new  hive,  which  might  otherwise  be  stored  away  in  large 
abundance  against  the  approach  of  winter  in  the  old  one,  thus  forming 
a  good  and  useful  stock  for  another  year,  while  the  honey  itself,  being 
stored  in  old  comb,  would  be  but  of  little  comparative  value  to  the 


*  And  there  are  always  more  worker  than  drone  eggs.     It  is  a  fallacy  to  suppose  that  the 
queen  lays  drone  eggs  exclusively,  (or  even  principally,)  at  any  period  of  the  year. 


THE  COTTAGE  AND  FARM  BEE  KEEPER.  5Y 

bee  master.  If  the  consumption  of  honey  in  the  elaboration  of  wax 
is  anything  so  considerable  as  I  make  it  out  to  be,*  it  certainly  is  a 
most  suicidal  policy  to  break  up  a  hive  whose  comb  is  still  good  for 
breeding  purposes,  for  the  sake  of  five  or  six,  or  even  ten  pounds  of 
inferior  honey  I  I  advise,  therefore,  that,  after  the  early  swarm  has 
been  forced  out,  which  may  be  encouraged  to  its  greatest  possible 
strength  by  sufiering  nine  tenths  of  the  bees  to  leave  the  old  hive  with 
it,  this  latter  be  suffered  to  stand  over  to  another  year  as  a  winter 
stock.  A  prime  swarm  so  formed  ought  to  yield  an  autumn  spoil,  in 
an  average  good  year,  of  from  30  to  60  lbs.  of  virgin  honey;  and 
if  its  weight,  on  issuing  from  the  hive,  exceeded  six  pounds,  which  it 
not  seldom  will  do,  it  may  often  greatly  exceed  the  largest  of  these 
figures,  while  the  old  stock  may  be  expected  to  weigh  from  25  to 
30  lbs.  net  contents^  the  Michaelmas,  [September  29th]  following,  at 
which  time  a  comb  or  two,  (that  is,  the  lower  part  of  those  combs,) 
may  be  cut  away  with  advantage,  to  facilitate  the  renovation  of  the 
hive.  As  to  the  renewal  of  comb,  it  might  be  effected  in  a  different 
and,  perhajis,  still  better  way.  Suppose  at  the  end  of  three  Aveeks, 
after  the  first  swarm's  issue,  (or  earUer,  as  the  case  may  be,)  the  bees 
are  driven  out  for  a  few  minutes,  part  of  the  combs,  (which  will  now 
for  the  most  part,  if  not  altogether,  be  empty  of  brood,)  may  be  re- 
moved at  once  thus  early  in  the  season ;  this  would  probably  have  the 
effect  of  stimulating  the  bees  in  it  to  renewed  activity,  so  that  there 
would  be  no  gapt  among  the  combs  through  the  winter,  as  might  be 
the  case  otherwise,  while  probably  the  weight  of  honey  would  not  be 
much  less  than  in  the  former  instance.  I  have  observed  that  the 
existence  of  unfilled  space  in  their  hive  not  a  little  warms  up  the  bee's 
energy,  whether  it  be  in  spring,  summer,  or  autumn. 

To  return  to  the  apiary,  it  is  evident  that  in  a  good  season  the  bee 
master  may  not  only  obtain  a  famous  harvest  from  the  autumn  plun- 
der of  his  spoliation  swarms,  (especially  if  they  were  formed  at  the 
right  time,  and  were  strong  in  population) ;  but  he  may  also  get  from 
them  several  small  hives  or  glasses  full  of  the  purest  honeycomb  in 
adcUtion.     Even  the  old  stocks  will  sometimes,  though  less  rarely. 


*  See  Appendix,  Note  H. 
t  And  yel  I  am  disposed  to  believe  that  a  vacuum  of  air  in  the  hive  has  a  tendency  to 
keep  bees  in  good  health  through  the  winter  ;  and  it  certainly  promotes  early  activity. 


S'S  THE    COTTAGE    AXD    FARM    CEE    KEEPEn. 

afford  a  handsome  glass  to  grace  his  breakfast  table,  besides  laying  up 
for  themselves  an  abundant  winter  store.  Here  then  will  be  seen  the 
advantage  of  the  hole  at  the  top  of  my  Golding's  hive,  over  which 
some  additional  store  rbom  can  be  placed,  (with  or  without  the  use  of 
an  adapter,)  by  which  means  the  removal  of  the  crown  piece  of  wood 
or  straw  is  rendered  unnecessary.  The  room  supplied  must,  however, 
be  determined  by  circumstances  of  locahty,  season,  and  strength  of 
population.  As  to  the  time  when  such  room  additional  should  be 
given,  I  refer  the  reader  for  instruction  to  Chapter  V,  of  this  book. 
In  the  same  chapter,  also,  will  be  found  full  directions  for  the  manage- 
ment of  his  hives  in  autumn  and  winter.  In  no  material  respect  will 
the  proceedings  of  the  cottager  and  amateur  be  different  in  these  par- 
ticulars. 

Where  the  system  of  management  advocated  in  these  pages  is  pur- 
sued, and  the  prime  swarms  of  the  season,  when  plundered,  are  reuni- 
ted to  the  stocks  from  which  they  severally  issued,  the  value  of  the 
advice  given  in  Chapter  II,  with  respect  to  the  arrangement  of  hives, 
will  be  very  apparent  at  the  season  of  the  autumnal  harvest.  I  repeat 
here,  therefore,  that  both  stock  and  swarm  should  stand  as  near  to- 
gether as  possible — say  about  one  foot  and  a  half  distant  from  each 
other,  but  distant  from  all  other  stocks  at  least  three  and  a  half  or  four 
feet.  But  for  an  arrangement  of  this  kind,  the  apiary  would  be  in  an 
uproar  every  autumn  from  the  invasion  of  their  neighbors'  hives,  by 
the  inmates  of  the  plundered  swarms ;  whereas  they  will  now  readily 
and  peaceably  unite  with  their  parent  stocks,  for  which  they  will  not 
have  far  to  search.  It  were  an  improvement,  perhaps,  instead  of  hav- 
ing a  separate  stand  for  each  stock,  to  use  what  Mi*.  Taylor  calls  a 
hive  range,  (see  Bee  Keeper's  Manual,  page  32,  4th  edition,)  from  two 
and  a  half  to  three  feet  long,  to  accommodate  each  couplet  of  hives. 
Thus,  after  effecting  the  union,  (the  two  hives,  parent  and  swarm,  hav- 
ing stood  side  by  side  on  tliis  range  all  the  summer,)  the  old  hive  might 
be  slid  a  little  to  the  right  or  left,  so  as  to  occupy  the  middle  of  the 
range  half  way  between  the  position  previously  occupied  by  the  liives. 
It  would,  in  this  case,  be  requisite  to  move  the  stock  back  in  winter 
to  the  extremity  of  the  range,  so  that  the  swarm  of  the  following 
spring  might  stand  at  the  proper  distance  from  it. 

Should  much  brood  be  found  on  examining  the  prime  swarms  when 
they  come  to  be  taken  up,  by  all  means  let  it  be  carefully  preserved, 


THE    COTTAGE    AND    FAK.M    15EE    KEEPER.  59 

for  it  must  be  borue  in  miud,  that  it  is  this  very  h-ood,  (and  not  so 
mucli  the  bees  actually  driven  from  it,  especially  if  the  driving  take 
place  early  in  the  autumn,)  thai  will  live  out  the  winter,  and  assist  most 
in  advancing  the  prosperity  of  the  hive  to  which  it  is  added  the  followi/iig 
spring.  To  preserve  it,  therefore,  let  the  following  instructions  be 
closely  attended  to,  which  are  somewhat  different  to  those  recommen- 
ded to  the  cottager.  When  most  of  the  bees  have  been  driven  from 
the  hive,  and  united  to  the  parent  stock,  let  the  top  be  removed,  and 
each  bar  of  the  hive  lifted  out,  having  previously  passed  a  Icnife  under 
it,  so  as  to  sever  the  comb  helow  from  its  attachments  to  it.  All  the  bars 
"  being  hfted  out,  proceed  to  cut  out  of  the  hive  as  much  of  every  comb 
as  contains  honey,  taking  care  not  to  cut  quite  down  to  the  part  which 
contains  the  brood ;  indeed,  it  is  well  to  cut  out  no  more  comb  than 
is  actually  honeyful.  This  being  done,  (and  the  quicker  the  better, 
that  the  brood  comb  may  not  grow  cold,)  let  the  hive  be  set  over  the 
stock  to  Avhich  the  bees  out  of  it  have  ah-eady  been  joined.  They 
will  quickly  cluster  over  the  remaining  comb,  carry  below  what  little 
honey  they  may  find  Tn  it,  and  hatch  out  the  brood.  In  this  way,  the 
winter  stock  will  be  most  beneficially  strengthened  with  large  promise 
for  the  future.  Three  weeks  later,  (or  in  less  time  if  the  brood  were 
not  very  young,)  the  upper  hive  may  be  removed,  and  the  stock  below 
set  in  order  for  the  winter  season.  If  not  more  than  three  or  four 
inches  deep  of  honeycomb  have  been  cut  away  from  the  upper  part 
of  the  hive  beneath  the  bars,  the  now  empty  combs,  (if  still  fresh  and 
good ;  that  is,  not  more  than  two  or  three  years  old,)  may  be  pre- 
served Avith  advantage ;  they  will  prove  a  most  valuable  boon  to  a 
prime  swarm  of  the  following  spring,  and  will  most  materially,  not 
merely  assist  its  own  profitable  advancement,  but  also  increase  the  next 
years  honey  harvest  of  the  bee  oivner.  The  hive  must,  of  course,  be 
carefully  stowed  away,  and  covered  up  in  a  dry  place,  to  keep  it  fresh 
and  sweet,  and  safe  from  the  invasion  of  the  prying  and  destructive 
wax  moth.  Should  more  than  four  inches  deep  of  comb  have  been 
cut  away,  what  remains  had  better,  perhaps,  be  removed  altogether 
and  melted  down,  because  the  bees,  to  whom  it  might  chance  to  be 
given  the  next  year,  would  very  Ukely  not  elevate  their  new  works 
sufficiently,  (for  in  this  case  they  work  upwards.^  to  touch  tbe  bars, 
and  there  secure  them,  before  the  weight  of  the  new  structure,  (honey 
laden,)  causes  it  to  incUne  out  of  the  perpendicular,  and,  perhaps,  to 


00  THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER. 

fall  altogether ;  all  danger  of  this  would,  however,  be  avoided,  if  some 
portion  of  comb  were  left  attached  to  the  bars,  or  subsequently  appUed 
to  them ;  for  in  this  case  the  bees  would  build  downwards  as  weU  as 
upwards,  and  so  meet  the  rising  works  half  way.  It  cannot  be  too 
carefully  borne  in  mind,  in  aU  hive  manipulations,  that  wax  is  a  most 
expensive  article  in  the  economy  of  bee  architecture,  though  its  value 
is  but  trifling  in  the  market ;  every  saving  of  it,  therefore,  is  impor- 
tant. The  most  useful  combs,  undoubtedly,  are  the  centre  ones ;  and 
these  will  generally  be  found  more  empty  than  the  others,  at,  least,  in 
the  middle  part. 

In  conclusion,  I  cannot  do  better  than  introduce  an  extract  from 
Dr.  Scudamore's  work,  by  way  of  showing  how  many  and  great  are 
the  advantages  to  be  derived  from  a  systematic  adoption  of  the  artifi- 
cial system,  though  I  doubt  not  many  of  my  readers  will  have  discov- 
ered not  a  few  akeady : 

"  There  is  no  certainty,"  he  -writes,  "  oT  the  time  when  this,  (the  ex- 
pected rising  of  natural  swarms,)  will  take  place,  bj'^  reason  of 
several  causes,  some  of  wliich  may  prevent  it  aKiogether ;  and  the  in- 
conveniences to  which  the  proprietors  are  liable,  who  do  not  form  ar- 
tificial swarms,  are  consequently  many.  Mrst,  they  are  obhged  to 
watch  the  departure  of  swarms  very  assiduously  for  six  weeks,  and 
sometimes  much  longer ;  whatever  attention  may  be  made  by  persons 
entrusted  with  this  care,  many  swarms  fly  away,  which  it  is  impossi- 
ble to  arrest.  It  has  been  calculated  by  a  great  bee  keeper,  that  a 
fourth  part  of  the  best  swarms  are  usually  lost  in  this  manner.  Sec- 
ondly, he  who  has  a  small  number  of  hives,  is  obliged  to  watch  them 
with  the  same  assiduity  as  if  he  had  more ;  and  he  who  has  a  greater 
number  is  often  much  embarrassed,  because  it  is  no  unusual  thing  to 
see  several  swarms  go  ofi"  at  the  same  instant ;  some  escape  on  one  side, 
and  some  on  another,  or  unite  themselves  together.  Thh-dly,  a  cold 
and  rainy  time,  which  may  happen  at  the  moment  Avhen  swarms  are 
disposed  to  come  forth,  often  prevents  the  bees  from  swarming.  And 
further,  swarms  may  issue  at  times  when  one  wishes  to  be  otherwise 
engaged;  and,  on  the  other  hand,  although  the  proprietor  may  be 
present,  his  swarms  may  choose  to  settle  in  places  where  it  is  difficult 
to  hive  them.  Now,  it  is  easy  to  imagine,  and  stiU  worse  to  experience 
some  of  these  difficulties  .  .  .  were  it  always  so,  (that  swarms  issued 
regularly,  and  settled  suitably,  and  in  good  time,)  all  would  be  well. 


THE  COTTAGE  AND  FARM  BEE  KEEPER.  61 

and  it  -would  be  unnecessary  to  interfere,  or  in  anywise  to  anticipate, 
the  gratifying  spectacle  of  a  natural  swarm.  But  the  vicissitudes  of 
our  cJimate  are  so  frequent,  ever  varjnng  and  ever  changing  still ;  so 
sudden,  and  sometimes  so  extraordinary ;  smiling  now,  and  now 
frowning  again,  aye,  as  coquettish  and  uncertain  as  the  youthful  maid- 
en ;  that  the  bee  master,  in  trusting  to  the  processes  of  nature,  more 
frequently  finds  his  best  wishes  annihilated,  and  the  golden  hours  of 
spring  dwindled  and  frittered  away,  ere  his  swarms  have  come  forth ; 
and  a  few  weeks  of  summer  remaining,  barely  suffice  for  the  gathering 
of  honey,  ere  the  cold  nights  of  autumn,  and  the  approaches  of  winter, 
close  in  the  scene." 


CHAPTER  VIII, 


OF  BOXES,  ETC.,  SUITABLE  FOR  AN  IN-DOOR  APIARY. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  whatever,  that  hives  of  wood  are  preferable  to 
hives  of  straw,  for  many  reasons,  where  so  situated  as  to  be  sheltered 
from  the  eflfects  of  both  heat  and  cold ;  hence  their  universal  adoption 
by  the  best  and  most  successful  amateur  apiarians. 

"  The  best  wood  for  them,"  says  Dr.  Bevan,  "  is  red  cedar,  the  fra- 
grance of  wliich  is  regarded  by  some  as  agreeable  to  the  bees ;  but  the 
chief  grounds  of  preference  are  its  lightness  and  sponginess,  (whence 
it  is  a  bad  conductor  of  heat,)  and  its  effect  in  keeping  moths  out  of 
the  boxes.  Whatever  kind  of  wood  be  made  use  of,  it  should  be  well 
seasoned ;  yellow  deal  answers  the  purpose  very  well."  In  making 
the  boxes,  Mr.  Taylor  judiciously  advises  that  they  be  "well  put  to- 
gether, observing  that  the  grain  of  the  wood  always  runs  in  the  hori- 
zontal direction,  when  its  tendency  to  expansion  or  contraction  is  ren- 
dered of  no  importance."  The  size  which  he  recommends,  I  think,  how- 
ever, too  small  for  the  stoch  or  hreedhtg  hive.  Instead  of  "  eleven  inches 
square,"  I  would  recommend  twelve  or  thirteen,  and  from  eight  to 
nine  inches  high,  inside  measure ;  the  thickness  of  the  wood  through- 
out being  "  not  less  than  an  inch,  or,  if  exposed,  a  httle  thicker." 

In  my  own  apiary,  I  prefer  the  collateral  system,  or,  I  should  rather 
say,  I  adopt  a  combination  of  both  the  collateral  and  storifying 
methods ;  for  while  I  use  two  boxes  collaterally,  it  is  my  practice  to 
place  several  large  glasses  at  a  time  each  over  its  hole  on  the  top  of 
the  stock  box ;  as  I  have  always  found  that  bees  work  more  readily 
over  their  breeding  hive  than  at  its  side ;  at  the  same  time,  to  afford 
them  abundance  of  room,  without  giving  them  the  labor  of  ascending 
to  a  second  or  third  story,  I  use  one  side  box  to  each  colony. 

It  will  be  found  in  general,  that  two  such  boxes  afford  ample  accom- 
modation foi-  the  largest  population  that  can  be  reared  on  the  dopriv- 


THE  COTTAGE  AND  FARM  BEE  KEEPER.  63 

ing  system,  if,  together  with  their  use.  room  additional  be  supplied  as  fast 
as  the  bees  require  it,  by  giving  them  three  or  four  bee  glasses,  from  six 
to  eight  inches  in  diameter,  (or  several  smaller  ones.)  at  a  time.  To 
furnish  space  for  the  glasses,  which  must  communicate  every  one  with 
the  stocJc  box,  each  by  its  pecuhar  hole,  (for  the  bees  are  usually  very 
much  indisposed  to  work  over  a  side  bos,  though  I  have  known  them 
do  so.)  it  vnll  be  found  advantageous  to  use  an  adapter  of  thin  ma- 
hogany or  cedar — woods  that  are  least  given  to  warp — (if  deal  is  used, 
it  should  be  framed.)  from  fourteen  to  sixteen  inches  in  diameter. 
There  must  be  pierced  in  it,  four  holes,  each  two  inches  in  diameter, 
exactly  corresponding  with  four  holes,  (more  or  less.)  on  the  top  of 
the  box  over  which  it  is  placed.  Two  or  tluree  long  screws  will  keep 
it  firmly  in  its  position,  only  let  them  be  well  greased,  to  facilitate  their 
removal.  This  adapter,  (which,  by  the  way,  must  not  project  over  the 
side  bbx.)  is  only  for  temporary  use  in  summer,  in  the  working  months ; 
after  July,  therefore,  if  done  with,  it  may  be  removed.  By  this  means, 
room  for  the  storing  of  between  25  to  35  lbs.  or  more  of  honey 
may  be  supphed  at  the  top,  not  to  speak  of  the  side  box,  which  may 
hold  at  least  60  lbs.  more ;  and  the  season  must  be  good  indeed,  and 
the  bees  amazingly  numerous,  to  requii-e  more  hive  room  than  this. 

Each  of  my  boxes,  which  are  made  of  exactly  the  same  dimensions,  so 
as  to  be  shifted,  if  need  be,  from  one  colony  to  anothei",  (this  is,  how- 
ever, of  more  importance  in  the  case  of  straw  hives  than  of  boxes,) 
has  three  windows — and  I  see  no  reason  why  it  should  not  have  four 
— made  as  large  as  possible  consistently  with  a  due  regard  to  the 
strength  of  the  box.  A  door,  fixed  on  hinges,  closes  neatly  over  the 
glass  in  each  window,  and  it  efiectually  excludes  the  light,  as  the  glass 
is  fitted  in  a  rabbet  with  putty.  The  rabbet  should  be  as  shallow  as 
possible,  that  the  inside  of  the  hive  may  be  perfectly  plain,  for  the  fa- 
cihty  of  cutting  out  the  combs. 

Dr.  Bevan  recommends  the  appUcation  of  bars  to  each  box ;  these 
will  not,  however,  be  of  any  great  advantage  in  the  working  of  the 
hives  according  to  my  plan,  while  they  cannot  fail  to  increase  the  ex- 
pense of  then-  construction  very  considerably.  Still,  if  it  be  thought 
desirable,  (and  they  will  often  be  found  useful.)  they  may  be  added. 
They  are  generally  made  to  run  parallel  with  the  sides  of  the  box ; 
those,  however,  who  hke,  as  I  do,  to  see  as  much  as  possible  of  the 
economy  of  the  hive  at  as  many  points  as  possible,  I  would  advise  to 


64 


THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER. 


make  them  run  diagonally  from  corner  to  corner.  Not  only  is  this  a 
great  advantage  to  the  bees,  chiefly  in  winter  and  the  early  spring, 
■R'hen  the  heat  can  be  more  readily  concentrated  in  one  of  the  corners 
of  the  hive,  but,  by  this  arrangement,  the  breeding  of  the  queen  may 
be  seen  going  on  in  every  part  of  the  hive  at  once,  as  a  considerable 
portion  of  every  comb  will  come  into  view  at  these  Avindows.  Not 
using  bars,  I  invariably  make  a  piece  of  comb  adhere  to  the  roof  of 
the  boxes  having  this  direction. 

As  to  the  arrangement  of  the  bars,  I  cannot  do  better  than  transcribe 
Dr.  Sevan's  directions  for  fixing  them,  as  well  as  adjusting  the  top  board 
on  them :  "  The  sides  of  the  boxes  should  be  an  inch  thick,  and  have  the 
upper  edges  of  the  fronts  and  backs  rabbeted  out  half  their  thickness,  and 
half  an  inch  deep,  to  receive  a  set  of  loose  bars  upon  their  tops,  which 
should  be  half  an  inch  thick,  and  one  inch  and  an  eighth  wide."  The 
number  of  the  bars  will  be  regulated  by  the  size  of  the  box'.  "  If 
the  distances  of  the  bars  from  each  other  be  nicely  adjusted,  there  will 
be  interspaces  between  them  of  about  half  an  inch.  The  precise  width 
of  the  bars  should  be  particularly  attended  to,  and  also  their  distances 
from  each  other,  as  any  deviation  in  this  respect  would  throw  the 
combs  wrong,  particularly  if  that  deviation  gave  an  excess  of  room. 
It  would  be  better,  therefore,  for 
them  to  be  somewhat  within  the 
rule,  than  to  exceed  it  by  ever  so 
httle,  for  whenever  the  bees 
evince  a  disposition  to  depart 
from  the  prescribed  dimensions, 
its  tendency  is  generally  to  make 
the  combs  aproximate."  "  Each 
box,  (on  my  plan,)  must  have  one 

close  cover,  which  should  be  an  inch  thick,  and  well  clamped  at  each 
end  to  prevent  warping,  as  a  considerable  quantity  of  steam  arises 
from  the  bees  at  certain  seasons.  The  top,  being  intended  to  take  off 
and  'on,  should  be  secured  by  means  of  four  screws,  each  placed  about 
an  inch  and  a  half  from  the  respective  corners."  Of  course,  where 
the  bars  are  dispensed  with  as  unnecessary,  no  rabbeting  will  be  want- 
ed, but  the  top  must  be  screwed  down  at  once,  thus  effecting  a  con- 
siderable saving  of  expense. 

In  one  cornr/'of  eachof  my  boxes.  I  always  place  a  small  thermom- 


THE  COTTAGE  A^"D  FARM  BEE  KEEPER.  65 

eter,  so  fixed,  with  its  face  to  the  glass,  that  I  can  see  enough  of  it 
for  my  purpose,  while  it  encroaches  as  httle  as  possible  on  the  surface 
of  the  glass  itself  In  adjusting  it,  care  must  be  taken  that  no  space 
occurs  between  the  thermometer  and  the  glass  for  the  bees  to  pass ; 
otherwise,  they  would  quickly  render  it  useless,  by  smearing  it  over 
with  propolis.  Its  use  is  very  great,  chiefly  in  summer,  as  an  index 
when  to  give  additional  room,  which  should  always  be  supplied,  and 
ventilation  aflforded,  if  possible,  when  the  internal  heat  raises  the 
quicksilver  to  90°  F.  It  has  other  advantages,  also,  which  will  quick- 
ly manifest  themselves  to  the  scientific  apiarian.-  To  enable  the  ther- 
mometer, in  such  a  position,  to  tell  at  all  correctly,  the  bees  must  be 
compelled  to  work  in  a  direction  towards  it,  (not  transversely  across,) 
otherwise  there  may  be  a  difference  of  10*^  or  15°  at  times  between 
the  temperature  of  that  corner  and  the  centre  of  the  hive.  A  bit  of 
worker  comb,  by  way  of  a  guide,  affixed  to  two  or  more  of  the  bars^ 
(or  to  the  roof  itself,  if  there  be  no  bars,)  wiU,  as  I  said  before,  suffice 
to  give  all  the  combs  the  proper  direction. 

As  to  the  matter  of  bottom  hoards,  I  suggest  to  the  curious  and  sci- 
entific apiarian  the  following  arrangement  of  them,  by  which  he  will 
at  once  perceive  how  great  the  command  of  his  bees  which  it  will 
give  to  him.  I  fear  the  directions  for  their  construction  will  appear 
to  involve  a  somewhat  comphcated  business — and  some  nicety  in  fit- 
ting the  parts  together  is  certainly  requked — but  a  clever  superinten- 
dent and  an  adroit  workman  will  soon  prepare  them  satisfactorily.* 

Each  colony  of  two  boxes  then  should  have  its  own  pair  of  bottom 
boards,  Avliich  will  afford  facilities  for  weighing  the  hives  at  any  time, 
summer  or  winter,  as  well  as  for  inspecting  the  condition  of  the  inte- 
rior during  the  breeding  season,  at  any  hour  of  the  night  or  day. 
These  boards,  (of  which  there  is  one  to  each  box,)  should  be  made  of 
two  pieces  of- "well-seasoned  wood,  each  piece  being  five  eighths  of  an 
inch  thick,  glued  and  nailed  together,  the  grain  of  the  wood  in  one 
piece  running  at  right  angles  to  the  grain  of  the  other,  as  a  precaution 
against  warping.  To  strengthen  them  still  further,  they  might  be 
clamped  together  with  bands  of  iron  at  the  corners,  or  framed,  if  pre- 


*  It  will  be  evident  that  a  slight  modification  •will  simplify  the  process  greatly;    as,  for 
instance,  throwing  the  two  boards  into  one,  and  making  it  a  fixture.,  as  well  as  by  the 
omission  of  all  the  slides  and  their  grooves. 
D 


66 


THE    (wiTTACJE    AND     FARM    P.EE    KEEPER. 


ferred.  Every  sucli  board,  when  the  two  pieces  are  put  together,  will 
be  one  inch  and  a  quarter  in  thickness.  Before  putting  together  the 
several  parts  of  each  board,  a  tunnel  must  previously  be  made  in  their 
midst,  from  /  (the  external  opening,  as  seen  in  the  accompanying  dia- 
gram,) to  a,  where 


it  communicates 
with  the  interior 
of  the  box,  which 
is  supposed  to  rest 
on  the  dotted  lines 
Ti  h.  This  tunnel, 
which  had  better 
be  grooved  chiefly 
out  of  the  bottom 
piece,  at  least  at^ 
and  which  slopes  upwards  a  little  towards  a,  must  be  four  inches  wide, 
three  inches  and  a  half  long,  (that  is  from  /  to  a.)  and  not  less  than 
three  eighths  of  an  inch  in  depth.  Each  of  these  boards  should  be 
three  inches  wider  than  the  boxes  on  the  wall  side  and  on  the  sides 
betiueen  the  boxes  ;  on  the  other  sides,  they  need  not  project  more  than 
half  an  inch  beyond  them.  The  excess  of  space  on  the  two  sides  af- 
fords room  for  the  insertion  of  the  hand  between  the  boxes  them- 
selves, and  between  the  stock  box  and  the  wall,  (on  the  entrance 
side.)  to  regulate  a  set  of  zinc  slides — perforated  or  otherwise — w^hich 
close  the  communications  between  box  and  box,  and  box  and  exter- 
nal air,  as  at  g  and  e.  There  are  two  slides  which  command  the  en- 
trance way,  one  fixed  to  the  board  itself,  the  other  in  the  wall,  over 
against  the  mouth  of  the  tunnel  at  /;  and  two  slides,  in  a  similar 
manner,  at  e,  one  at  the  edge  of  each  board,  which  slip  into  a  groove, 
and  prevent  the  bees  from  passing  frorri  one  box  to  the  other.  It  is 
evident  that  the  grooves  in  which  the  shdes  enter  must  be  in  every  case 
made  at  the  very  edge  of  the  boards;  otherwise,  in  withdrawing  a  box 
for  any  purpose,  some  bees,  that  might  be  passing  at  the  time,  would 
be  intercepted  betw-een  the  shdes,  to  the  annoj^ance  of  the  apiator. 
To  prevent  this,  it  will  be  found  useful  to  cut  out  a  thin  piece  of  wood 
at  the  edge  of  the  board,  and  to  fit  over  it,  in  each  case,  a  thin  piece 
of  stout  and  inflexible  metal — zinc,  copper,  or  iron — having  a  hole  in 
it,  corresponding  exactly  to  the  size  of  the  passages.     In  this  Avay,  the 


THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER. 


6*7 


slides  will  fit  close  together,  the  pieces  of  metal  alone  interposing  be- 
tween them.  A  piece  of  wood,  (having  a  suitable  hole  in  it,)  nailed 
against  the  wall  to  which  the  shde  is  adapted  will  meet  the  difficulty 
on  that  side. 

There  must  also  be  constructed  a  tunnel  as  at  d  d,  for  the  bees  to 
pass  from  one  box  to  the  other.  It  wiU  be  sufficient  to  cut  it  out  of 
the  upper  piece  only  of  the  double  board ;  and  it  should  be  rather 
deeper  and  wider  than  the  entrance  way.  A  plate  of  iron  or  thin  ma- 
hogany should  also  be  fitted  over  it  in  each  board,  as  at  e  e,  thus  form- 
ing a  covered  way  beneath  it 

The  holes,  h  b,  are  cut  quite  through  the  double  board  in  each  box, 
and  serve  the  purpose  of  veniilators,  which  will  be  found  of  very  great 
use  at  certain  seasons.  They  are  closed  by  a  pair  of  zinc  shdes,  c  c, 
the  one  perforated,  the  other  plain,  which  passes  in  a  groove,  either 
between  the  doubled  boards  or  beneath  them.  There  must  ahcai/s  be 
one  of  these  ventilators  to  each  board. 

Three  or  four  small  screws,  with  rings  attached,  must  be  affixed  to 
the  upper  side  of  each  board,  into  which  the  strings  will  be  passed, 
which  are  necessary  to  facUitate  the  removal  of  the  boxes  for  weigh- 
ing, inspection,  &c. 


CHAPTER    IX. 


OF  THE  BEE  HOUSE  AND  WINDOW  APIARY. 

Bee  hiv-es  ranged  in  order  in  a  well-sheltered  garden,  form  so  pleasing 
an  object  to  every  true  lover  of  rural  pursuits,  that  it  cannot  be  won- 
dered at  how  tenaciously  most  apiarians  adhere  to  the  management  of 
their  bees  in  this  way.  I  am  the  last  person  to  quarrel  with  this  pre- 
dilection, in  which,  I  myself  fully  share.  While,  however,  it  must  be 
confessed,  that  to  bee  hives  located  in  the  open  air,  in  point  of  pictur- 
esque appearance  and  rural  interest,  the  palm  of  superiority  is  to  be 
accorded ;  it  cannot  be  denied,  that  for  scientific  purposes,  general  fa- 
cihty  of  management  and  profit,  out-door  apiaries  must  yield  to  such 
as  are  conducted  in-doors.  The  advantages  of  protection  from  the 
weather,  of  security  against  accident,  of  opportunities  for  minute  and 
leisurely  observation,  cannot  be  too  highly  estimated.  I  think,  there- 
fore, I  am  fully  justified  in  reserving  to  this  place,  as  a  sort  of  climax 
to  my  subject,  the  details  and  treatment  of  house  apiaries. 

The  use  of  some  sort  of  cover  for  bee  hives  has  been  common 
among  all  bee  keepers  of  every  country.  Our  old  apiarians  who  aimed 
at  any  improvement  upon  the  prevaihng  system,  generally  made  use 
of  a  sort  of  shed  or  box,  capable  of  holding  from  one  to  six  or  more 
colonies  of  bees ;  and  such  are  still  to  be  seen  in  some  places.  Speak- 
ing of  boxes  of  this  kind,  Mr.  Taylor  very  justly  observes,  "  the  com- 
mon bee  houses,  as  usually  constructed,  opened  in  front  and  closed 
against  approach  behind,  retaining  the  sun's  heat  as  in  an  oven,  are 
very  objectionable.  These  are  frequently  unsightly,  the  receptacles  of 
dirt  and  insects,  and  in  most  instances,  inconvenient  to  operate  in." 
As  these  boxes,  moreover,  very  imperfectly  answer,  at  best,  the  end 
in  view,  I  shall  content  myself  with  this  passing  allusion  to  them, 
leaving  it  to  the  ingenuity  of  the  apiator,  or  to  the  instructions  of  the 


THE   COTTAGK    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER.  69 

older  bee  authors  to  guide  him  in  his  choice,  and  direct  him  in  the 
making  of  such  sheds. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  a  substantial  bee  house,  large  enough  to 
shelter  the  bee  master  as  well  as  his  bees,  -where  the  outlay  of  a  few 
pounds  can  be  afforded  at  the  outset,  is  the  best  of  all  places  for  loca- 
ting hives,  (be  they  of  wood  or  straw,)  and  conducting  the  requisite 
operations  in  bee  management.  Dr.  Bevan,  in  his  "Honey  Bee,"  has 
described  his  own  apiary,  which  appears  to  have  been  a  very  simple, 
useful,  and  inexpensive  structure.  It  answered  the  double  purpose 
of  bee  house  and  potato  shed — the  potatoes  below,  the  bees  above. 
His  house,  which  was  "  seven  feet  square  in  the  clear,  afforded  room 
for  seven  colonies — three  in  front,  and  two  at  each  end."  Being  an 
advocate  of  the  storifying  system,  which  he  has  worked  with  very 
great  success,  his  colonies,  or  "piles  of  boxes,  were  placed  Avithin  the 
building,  at  somewhat  less  than  two  feet  apart,  so  as  to  make  the  ex- 
ternal entrances  to  each  pile  respectively  about  a  yard  asimder.  Pre- 
ferring, as  I  do,  a  combination  of  the  storifying  and  collateral  system, 
to  the  exclusive  adoption  of  either,  (as  explained  in  the  last  chapter,) 
the  same  size  of  bee  house,  with  a  slight  additional  elevation  of  roof, 
might  be  made  to  accommodate  nearly  double  the  number  of  colonies, 
there  being  two  tiers  of  boxes  one  above  the  other.  In  this  case,  the 
distance  between  each  colony  of  two  boxes  would  be  about  one  foot, 
ample  space  being  thus  allowed  for  handling  the  boxes,  and  inspecting 
the  interior  by  the  side  windows.  Dr.  Sevan's  house  was  "  built  of 
timber,  lathed  and  plastered,  both  within  and  Avithout;"  and  was  "not 
only  thatched  thick  on  the  top,  but  down  the  end  and  sides."  On  that 
side,  however,  on  which  the  bees  entered,  the  thatch,  of  course,  ter- 
minated at  some  distance  above  the  entrances. 

A  very  picturesque  bee  house,  (similar  to  one  which  I  saw  two 
years  ago,  erected  by  a  farmer,  and  which  worked  very  successfully,) 
might  be  constructed  of  a  pentagonal  or  hexagonal  shape,  two  or  three 
of  its  sides,  as  the  case  may  be,  being  occupied  Avith  a  double  row  of 
bee  boxes.  The  tiers  of  boxes,  whatever  be  the  size  of  the  house 
should  be  elevated  severally  at  the  height  of  three,  and  five  and  a  half, 
or  six  feet ;  and  there  ought  to  be  a  space  between  each  tier  of  one 
and  a  half  or  two  feet.  In  this  case,  the  roof,  which  should  be  iveU 
thatched,  must  not  be  lower  than  nine  feet,  to  afford  ample  room  for 
working  the  bee  glasses  ox  supers  over  the  higher  tier  of  boxes.     Such 


70  THE  COTTAGE  AND  FAP.M  T!"K  KEEPER. 

a  house  would  be  best  made  of  brick,  with  stout  posts  of  wood  at  the 
angles,  up  to  the  first  row  of  boxes,  from  that  upwards  of  wood,  lath- 
ed and  plastered  both  Avithin  and  without.  The  other  three  sides  of 
the  house  would  be  taken  up,  the  centre  one  with  the  door,  the  others 
each  with  a  window,  in  which,  were  it  thought  proper,  an  observatory 
or  leaf  hive  might  be  fixed.  These  windows  and  their  shutters  should 
be  so  contrived,  that  the  house  may  be  darkened  at  pleasure,  room 
being  made  for  the  admission  of  hght  by  one  aperture  in  either  of  the 
windows,  through  which  the  bees  may  escape,  (as  they  naturally  fly 
towards  the  light,)  whenever  a  colony  is  to  be  deprived  of  a  glass  or 
box.  The  roof,  also,  of  the  building  should  project  two  feet  or  more 
on  all  sides  but  the  north,  to  keep  off  as  much  summer  sun  as  possible 
from  striking  on  the  bee  house  front  or  sides. 

Instead  of  the  shelves  or  whole  board  upon  which  the  boxes  in  such 
houses  usually  rest,  I  prefer  a  kind  of  frame  with  cross  bars,  supported 
by  brackets,  as  seen  in  the  accompanying  diagram.     The  cross  bars 


should  be  so  arranged  that  the  edges  of  each  hive  board  shall  rest  up- 
on a  bar,  to  which  it  may  be  fastened  by  hooks  and  eyes,  or  else  by 
the  insertion  of  some  long  screws  through  the  board  into  the  bar,  to 
keep  it  always  firmly  in  its  place ;  otherwise,  there  should  be  some 
similar  contrivance  for  attaching  these  boards  so  securely  to  the  wall, 
that  the  entrance  holes  in  both  board  and  wall  shall  always  exactly  co- 
incide, without  the  possibility  of  the  bees  escaping  between  them  into 
the  bee  house.  Of  course,  these  fastenings  must  be  easily  movable 
at  pleasure ;  that  is,  whenever  any  operation  is  to  be  performed  with 
the  boxes.  The  chief  advantage  of  this  open  frame  is  the  facility  it 
affords  for  ventilation ;  otherwise,  a  hole  must  be  cut  in  the  shelf,  if 
made  of  a  whole  board,  to  correspond  with  the  hole  for  ventilation  in 
the  board  of  the  hive  itself;  or  these  boards  must  each  be  elevated  on 
bars  of  wood  nailed  down  upon  the  shelf 

A  bee  house  of  this  description  will  have  many  advantages ;  here 
the  boxes  and  the  bees  will  be  kept  cool  in  summer,  be  the  sun's  rays 
ever  so  burning,  as  well  as  snug  and  warm  in  winter ;  here  there  is 
all  safety  against  the  attack  of  robbers,  the  intrusion  of  vermin,  the 


THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER. 


71 


plague  of  damp ;  while  no  gusts,  nor  hurricanes  of  wind  need  trouble 
the  apiarian,  who,  besides,  has  every  opportunity  for  the  most  careful 
and  undisturbed  observation.  I  have  seen  several  such  bee  houses ; 
among  them  is  one  belonging  to  the  Lady  of  the  Manor,  in  my  own 
neighborhood,  from  which,  owing  to  her  immediate  superintendence, 
and  the  able  assistance  of  an  intelligent  gardener,  she  has  harvested 
very  large  stores*  of  the  purest  nectar.     A  bee  house  of  this  kind,  if 


a  separate  structure,  should  stand  in  a  garden  of  its  own,  low,  if  possi- 
ble, yet  dry,  and  surrounded  every  way  by  a  rampart  of  trees. 

A  last  kind  of  apiary,  inferior  to  none  other  in  any  of  the  advanta- 
ges which  I  have  enumerated,  is  what  may  be  called  the  Jiouse-window 
apiary.  It  is  in  this  way  that  I  have  chiefly  managed  my  own  bees 
of  late  years.     Living  on  the  outskirts  of  a  country  town,  with  no 


♦  I  have  heard  her  boast  of  a  harvest  of  three  owt.  of  honey  in  one  year,  (this  was  ia 

1847,)  from  seven  colonies  ! 


72  THE  C0TTA6E  AND  FARM  BEE  KEEI'KR. 

suitable  place  externally  in  which  to  locate  my  bees,  necessity  has  led 
me  to  maiie  use  of  some  spare  -windows  in  my  cottage  which  are  well 
adapted  to  this  purpose.  Any  Avindow  facing  any  quarter  of  the 
heavens,  and  at  any  height,  will  answer  the  purpose  almost  equally  well, 
provided  only  the  situation  be  well  sheltered  from  high  poinds,  or'the 
destructive  influence  of  sudden  gusts,  or  strong  currents  of  air.  My 
own  apiary  labors  under  great,  disadvantages  in  many  of  these  res- 
pects ;  not  only  so,  it  stands  within  100  yards  of  a  broad  and  rapid 
river,  with  an  aspect,  wholly  unprotected,  looking  to  the  southwest, 
whence  the  winds  blow  strongest  and  most  frequently  of  any.  In 
spite  of  these  drawbacks,  there  is  not  to  be  found  a  more  thriving,  or 
profitable  apiary  in  all  the  country  round.  I  am  obUged  to  be  often 
on  the  look  out,  however,  and  have  frequently  to  confine  my  bees  en- 
tirely for  days  together,  in  rough  and  stormy  weather.  If  the  shdes 
be  shut  down  in  the  early  morning,  before  the  bees  stir,  taking  care  at 
the  same  time  to  open  the  ventilators  by  day,  and  the  slides  themselves 
by  night,  the  bee  master  may  keep  them  shut  up  in  most  weathers, 
(without  much  annoying  his  bees,)  for  forty-eight  hours  together.  My 
plan  is,  in  doubtful  weather,  to  confine  them  till  the  day  declares  itself;  if 
the  wind  be  not  too  high,  I  wait  a  sunshiny  moment,  and  set  them 
free.  Of  course,  this  treatment  is  pursued  Avith  most  advantage  in 
the  early  spring;  as  the  population  increases,  it  becomes  more  difl&cult 
and  hazardous,  neither  is  the  precaution  so  necessary. 

In  favor  of  placing  bees  in  such  a  locahty,  it  may  be  observed  that 
these  insects  are  naturally  fond  of,  indeed,  they  seem  to  give  a  prefer- 
ence to  high  situations,  above  all  other  habitats.  In  their  wild  state, 
they  will  fix  upon  some  tall  and  gigantic  tree  for  their  dwelling,  and, 
even  after  domestication,  Avill  not  seldom  prefer  the  roof  of  some  house, 
to  any  other  locality.  Several  instances  are  on  record  of  bees  having 
collected  immense  stores  of  honey  in  such  places,  doubtless  owing  to 
the  shelter  afforded  from  the  extremes  of  cold  and  heat,  (and  the  boxes 
must  be  well  protected  from  the  sun,)  and  the  generally  good  ventila- 
tion and  dry  atmosphere  of  places  of  this  kind. 

This  sort  of  apiary  has  the  additional  recommendation  of  economy — 
indeed,  from  the  very  trifling  outlay  required,  it  may  be  considered 
the  cheapest  of  all  methods  of  locating  bee  hives,  whilst  there  is  every 
faciUty  for  the  most  leisurely   and  uninterrupted  observation  in  all 


THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE   KEEPER. 


73 


weathers.  Nothing  is  more  requisite  than  to  fix  a  frame,  (similar  to 
that  ah-eady  described,)  or  a  board,  against  a  window  that  has  no  in- 
ner ledge,  or  in  one  that  has, 

upon    which,  the  liive  boards  tiii    '     |       i         i      '   ] — •    -^_ 

may  rest.  A  hole  must  also  be 
cut  in  the  lower  frame  of  the 
window  sash,  (to  which  an 
alighting  board  is  affixed  on  the 
outside,)  corresponding  in  size 
with  the  mouth  of  the  bee  pass- 
age tunnelled  out  of  the  bot- 
tom board,  which  is  thrust  up 
as  close  as  possible  against  it,  so 
that  the  holes  may  exactly  co- 
incide. Where  the  window  is 
sufficiently  large,  as  in  the  above 
sketch,  two  colonies  may  be 
placed  side  by  side,  one  on  the 
collateral,  the  other  on  the  sto- 
rifying  system.  In  this  case  the 
hive  entrances  must  be  as  far  distant  as  possible  the  one  from  the  other, 
that  the  bees  may  in  no  wise  be  tempted  to  quarrel.  If  only  the  low- 
er part  of  the  window  be  occupied  by  bees,  the  upper  sash  may  be 
left  free  to  ventilate  the  room ;  but  if  there  are  other  windoAvs  suita- 
ble for  this  purpose,  and  it  be  thought  desirable  to  place  another  colo- 
ny, or  set  of  colonies,  in  the  same  window,  nothing  is  easier  than  to  adapt 
a  frame  or  shelf  higher  up,  with  a  block  of  wood  nailed  or  screwed 
firmly  to  its  upper  side,  answering  the  purpose  of  alighting-board  and 
external  entrance  way.  A  httle  putty  will  make  all  right  and  tight, 
against  rain  and  wind.  It  is  hoped  the  accompanying  diagrams 
will  sufficiently  explain  the  manner  in  which  this  block  will  be  ar- 
ranged. For  instance,  a  is  the  block  itself,  with  alighting  board  attached, 
as  seen  from  the  outside  ;  h  the  same  block,  as  it  appears  from  with- 
in, to  the  back  of  which  the  zinc  slide  is  attached,  which  commands 
the  block  passage.  The  square  figm-e  d  represents  a  pane  of  glass,  of 
which  the  part  below  the  dotted  hue,  e  e,  has  been  punched  out,  it 
having  been  previously  cut  with  a  diamond.  Through  the  narrow 
opening  thus  made,  the  block  a  or  &,  which  rests  on  the  lower  edge  of 


74 


THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER. 


the  window  is  passed,  it  having  previoiisly  been  securely  attached  to 
the  upper  side  of  the  shelf  or  frame,  fixed  in  the  window,  upon  which 
the  boxes  rest.*  Of  course,  the  bottom  board  runs  closely  up  to  the 
block,  and  is  secured  in  the  same  manner  as  the  boards  of  the  lower 


tier  of  colonies.  It  is  well,  where  the  aspect  of  the  window  faces  the 
sun,  to  hang  up  in  it  a  piece  of  thick  drugget,  which,  more  than  any- 
thing else,  will  tend  to  keep  the  boxes  cool.  The  same  will  also  ex- 
clude the  frost  in  winter. 


*  The  dotted  lines  c  c  show  the  place  where  the  block  rests  on  the  ■window  frame.     The 
thicker  and  back  part  of  the  block  is  that  which  is  screwed  down  to  the  shelf  or  frame. 


CHAPTER  X 


MANAGEMENT  OF  THE  BEE  HOUSE  OR  WINDOW  APIART. 

Although  the  apiarian,  who  manages  Ms  bees  according  to  the  method 
unfolded  in  this  chapter,  will  generally  be  able  to  do  without  any  cot- 
tage hives  in  the  open  air,  it  will  be  found  desirable  to  have  one  or 
more  such  kept  for  swarming  purposes ;  among  other  reasons,  to  sup- 
ply any  failure  which  may  chance  to  occur  in  his  box  colonies,  whether 
by  the  death  of  a  queen  or  other  accident.  Under  the  old,  (if  it  may 
not  be  called  the  present,)  system,  accidents  of  this  sort  were  common 
enough ;  for  the  depriving  system,  as  practised  by  the  generaUty  of 
amateur  bee  keepers,  is  not  by  any  means  so  universally  successful  as 
its  advocates  would  have  us  beheve  it  to  be ;  for  two  or  three  years, 
indeed,  after  the  estabhshment  of  a  bee  house,  or  any  individual  colo- 
ny in  it,  matters  may  go  on  well  enough ;  but  if  all  swarming  be  pre- 
vented, it  becomes  a  mere  chance  whether  it  shall  succeed  or  fail  af- 
terwards. If  the  queen  dies  at  the  right  time ;  that  is,  in  May,  June, 
or  July,  and  her  decay  be  somewhat  sudden,  the  colony  flourishes,  be- 
cause a  new  queen,  raised  artificially,  or  otherwise,  takes  her  place, 
and  four  years  more  may  be  added  to  its  successful  existence.  But  if 
the  old  queen  fails  gradually  in  any  of  those  months,  (in  which  case 
she  would  probably  leave  no  eggs  behind  her,  from  which  to  rear  a  queen 
artificially,)  or  anyhow  in  the  other  nine  months  in  the  year,  the  bees 
dwindle  away,  and  the  colony  fails.  This  is  one  among  other 
causes  of  disappointment  which  many  persons  have  experienced,  who 
have  gone  to  great  expense  in  establishing  apiaries,  and  managed  them 
on  the  depriving  system.  They  failed  through  want  of  foresight ;  they 
Bhould  have  provided  a  remedy  against  the  natural  defect  in  this  sys- 
tem, by  changing  the  royal  dynasty  at  least  triennially,  substituting  a 
young  and  vigorous  queen  for  an  old  and  faihng  one.  If  this  were 
judiciously  and  scientifically  managed,  together  with  a  periodical  ex- 


76  THE    COTTAGE     AND    FARM    BEE    KEETKU. 

cision  of  comb,  I  see  no  reason  why  an  apiary  should  not  maintain  a 
perpetual  youth,  and  any  one  colony  flourish  to  an  indefinite  period. 
One  way  of  supplying  a  constant  succession  of  young  princesses  from 
external  sources,  Avill  be  fully  detailed  in  this  chapter ;  but  that  the 
apiarian  may  securely  depend  on  Ms  own  resources  for  this  purpose,  it  wiU 
be  advisable  for  him  to  keep  a  few  cottage  hives,  in  proportion  to  the 
size  of  his  bee  house,  and  the  number  of  his  colonies,  although  he  will 
generally  be  able  to  procure  his  young  queens  elsewhere  and  other- 
wise. Such  hives,  kept  for  this  purpose,  may  be  mapaged  according 
to  the  instructions  so  fully  given  in  the  earher  part  of  this  volume. 
They  had  better  be  purchased  at  the  outset ;  and  the  bee  house  stock- 
ed with  swarms  procured  from  them  in  due  time,  rather  than  with  a 
swarm  or  swarms  obtained  at  the  usual  season.  No  doubt,  with  due 
precautions  as  to  the  selection  of  such  swarms,  the  apiary  wiU  be  as 
well  stocked  in  this  as  in  any  other  way ;  but  there  is  this  objection 
to  it,  that  any  considerable  profit  will  be  delayed  an  additional  year. 

First  year. — Let  us  suppose,  then,  that  a  couple  of  strong  stocks  are 
transferred  to  the  garden  in  which  the  apiary  is  situated,  whether  in 
spring  or  the  previous  autumn,  from  which  two  prime  swarms  issue 
naturally  in  the  course  of  the  ensuing  summer.  That  the  apiary  may 
start  well,  I  woukl  advise  the  return  of  both  swarms,  as  ah-eady  ex- 
plained, after  destroying  the  old  queens.  In  this  way,  more  powerfiil 
swarms,  and  youthful  queens  to  boot,  wiU  be  located  in  the  bee  house. 

Where  the  swarm  is  forced  artificially,  luith  a  view  to  the  queen's  de- 
struction, it  must  by  all  means  be  deferred  until  she  has  laid  royal  eggs ; 
and,  indeed,  until  it  is  ascertained  that  royal  hrood  exists  in  the  hive, 
in  a  more  or  less  advanced  stage  of  forwardness ;  otherwise,  the  delay 
Avould  be  very  great  before  the  second  issue  of  the  swarm. 

To  ascertain  this,  it  Avill  be  proper  to  drive  the  bees  out  of  the  hive, 
when,  if  it  clearly  appear  that  roj^al  brood  does  exist,  the  swarm  may 
immediately  be  dashed  out  of  the  temporary  hive,  and  the  queen  sought 
for  and  destroyed.  The  bees  will  immediately  return  home,  and  prepare 
for  their  second  issue.  One  great  advantage  belonging  to  this  artifi- 
cial method  of  destroying  the  queen,  is,  that  the  final  issue  of  the 
swarm  will  be  so  much  earlier  and  more  certain  than  if  the  natural  first 
rising  of  the  swarm  was  waited  for  previous  to  destroying  her ;  not 
only  so,  the  bees  will  be  less  likely  to  fly  away  and  be  lost. 


THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER.  77 

When  the  swarm  re-issue3,*  which  will  probably  take  place  some 
time  in  the  fortnight  succeeding  the  old  queen's  removal ;  that  is,  if 
the  queen  was  destroyed  according  to  the  plan  proposed  above — ^let  it 
be  hived  first  in  a  common  beU  hive,  and  afterwards  transferred  to 
the  box  designed  for  its  final  reception,'  after  which,  it  may  be  removed 
the  same  evening  to  the  bee  house. 

I  need  hardly  repeat  that  it  will  not  alwayst  be  necessary  to  destroy 
the  old  queen,  however  advisable,  especially  where  her  age  does  not 
exceed  one  whole  year  at  the  time  of  the  issue  of  the  prime  swarm. 
In  this  case,  after  the  swarm  has  been  transferred  to  its  box,  it  wiU 
be  moved  off,  as  in  the  former  instance,  to  its  intended  locaUty. 

Now.  in  both  these  cases,  second  swarms,  or  casts,  must  be  looked  for. 
Where  the  prime  swarm  was  headed  by  a  young  princess,  the  cast 
win  issue  probably  in  two  or  three  days.  Let  it  be  retm-ned  to  the 
parent  stock,  after  cutting  out  from  it  the  surviving  royal  cells.  In 
this  way,  both  hives  should  be  treated,  so  as  to  encourage  their  strong 
establishment  for  another  year.  In  the  autumn,  if  necessary,  a  suffi- 
cient quantity  of  comb  may  be  cut  away,  supposing  either  of  the 
stocks  exceeded  three  or  four  years  in  age.  FuU  directions  as  to  every 
method  of  managing  these  stocks  having  already  been  given  elsewhere, 
I  shall  not  foUow  up  their  history  in  this  place. 

To  turn  our  attention,  therefore,  to  the  two  swarms  now  located  in 
the  bee  house — when  first  estabUshed  in  their  new  quarters,  for  some 
days  at  least,  they  ought  not  to  be  meddled  with  in  any  way,  except 
in  the  event  of  cold  or  wet  weather  succeeding,  in  which  case,  one  of 
the  holes  at  the  top  may  be  uncorked,  and  a  feeder  slipped  over  it, 
covered  with  a  pane  of  glass,  and  something  to  exclude  the  light.  The 
feeder  may  contain  from  1^  to  3  lbs.  Uquid  honey  or  sugared 
ale.  Of  course,  there  is  no  objection  to  inspecting  the  interior  of  the 
box  by  the  windows  suppUed  for  that  purpose,  though  even  this  in 
moderation,  at  first,  lest  the  bees,  who  are  a  fastidious  people,  should 
take  a  dislike  to  their  new  home,  and  decamp  with  the  first  opportu- 
nity.    Bad  weather  will  often  succeed  the  hiving  a  swarm.     In  this 


♦  Observe,  I  would  by  no  means  advise  the  compulsion  of  the  rwarm  on  its  final  re-is- 
sue, eicept  in  a  case  of  extreme  necessity,  chiefly  because  it  would  become  greatly  weak- 
ened by  the  return  of  a  great  part  of  its  numbers  to  the  old  stand  and  hive. 

t  See  Appendix,  Note  I. 


Y8  THE  COTTAGE  AND  FARM  BEE  KEEPER. 

case,  where  bees  are  left  to  themselves,  there  occurs  often  a  very  hurt- 
ful period  of  inactivity  in  the  progress  of  the  new  w^orks  for  want  of 
material  wherewith  to  construct  comb.  If,  however,  a  constant 
supply  of  some  rich  food  be  given  them,  (by  wliich  I  mean  food 
in  which  the  saccharine  element  prevails,  which  Huber  tells  us  is  more 
productive  of  wax  than  even  honey,)  they  will  construct  comb  in  rea- 
diness to  receive  the  often  sudden  and  sometimes  immense  collec- 
tion of  honey  which  flows  in  from  every  quarter  on  the  return  of  pro- 
pitious weather.  Bees  would  seem  to  know  when  an  abundant  har- 
vest is  at  hand  ;  hence,  they  wiU  often,  especially  in  the  height  of  the 
season,  construct  comb  as  if  in  preparation  for  it.  Thus  I  have  knoiivn 
comb-building  continue  most  actively  in  a  warmly-kept  hive  during 
several  days  of  bad  weather,  when  scarcely  a  drop  of  honey  was  being 
added  to  their  stores.  They  will  be  also  seen  at  such  times  to  carry  the 
honey,  which  they  may  chance  in  the  hurry  of  the  moment  to  have 
deposited  in  the  lower  cells,  into  the  higher  parts  of  the  hive,  thus 
clearing  the  way  for  the  easy  deposit  of  future  stores.  This  I  have 
known  them  do  in  a  side  box,  in  which  the  queen  had  not  once  laid 
an  egg ;  therefore,  the  transfer  of  the  honey  could  not  have  occurred 
in  deference  to  her  breeding  wants. 

If  the  season  be  good,  and  the  swarms  strong,  which  they  will  gen- 
erally be  when  the  queen  is  destroyed,  additional  room  wiU  shortly  be 
required.  This  should  be  furnished  some  time  in  the  course  of  the 
third  or  fourth  week ;  and  first,  by  opening  to  them  a  glass  or  two  on 
the  top  of  the  hive.  Should  the  season  be  very  good,  they  will  also 
want  the  side  box,  but  this  more  rarely,  owing  to  the  large  dimensions 
of  the  stock  hive.  Still,  it  will  often  be  found  advantageous  in  very 
hot  weather,  to  give  the  bees  all  the  room  possible,  even  though  they 
may  not  absolutely  require  it  for  storing  purposes.  When  the  ther- 
mometer indicates  a  temperature  of  90°  F.,  for  two  days  together,  and 
the  bees  at  morn  or  eve  hang  in  clusters  outside  the  hive,  no  time 
should  be  lost  in  opening  to  them  all  available  space.  With  so  large  a 
population  as  will  be  almost  sure  to  be  attached  to  the  new  swarms, 
their  large  box  will  be  filled  in  almost  the  same,  or  perhaps  less  time, 
than  a  swarm  of  the  usual  size  would  take  to  fill  a  box  of  the  ordi- 
nary dimensions;  so,  that  if  20  lbs.  of  honey  may  be  yielded  by 
the  one  over  and  above  their  own  winter  store,  not  less  than  30  lbs., 
under  similar  circumstances,  will  be  collected  by  the  others. 


THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER.  "79 

In  supplying  the  bees  with  additional  room,  the  bee  master  must  be 
guided  by  circumstances.  Wlien  his  complement  of  stock  hives  is 
complete,  his  object  ■will  be  the  harvesting  of  honey.  In  this  case,  he 
■will  proceed  as  above,  first  opening  a  bee  glass,  and  afterwards  the 
side  box.  But  should  he  desire  a  rapid  increase  of  his  apiary,  and  be 
content  to  forego  any  present  acquisition  of  honey  ■with  this  end  in 
vie'w,  he  may  ■withhold  all  additional  room  above  the  s^warm,  and  com- 
pel them  to  ■work  solely  in  the  side  box,  which  must  be  made  to 
tale  the  place  of  the  stock  box,  the  latter  being  shifted  to  the  right  or 
left  as  the  case  may  be.  Thus,  fn  passing  to  the  open  air,*  the  bees 
■wUl  have  to  enter  an  empty  box,  in  ■which,  if  necessity  urges  them, 
they  ■will  speedily  begin  to  build.  It  ■wiU  in  general  be  occupied  much 
sooner  than  if  it  "were  in  its  original  position,  remote  from  the  entrance, 
and  "work  a  good  deal  more  comb  than  they  other-wise  -would  do.  "WTiere 
plenty  of  additional  room  is  afforded  in  after  years,  in  the  shape  of  bee 
glasses,  or  supei-s  over  the  "pavilion,"  or  main  box;  and  a  hive  be 
treated  in  this  manner,  there  "wiU  generally  be  found  in  tliis  temporary 
atrium,  plenty  of  comb,  -well  stored  with  pollen,  (which  will  heljo  to 
relieve  the  stock  hive  of  much  of  this  often  too  abundantly-stored  sub- 
stance,) or  only  a  third  full,  or  even  less  of  honey;  for  bees  always  pre- 
fer to  store  honey  over  their  main  domicile,  whither  they  ■wiU,  as  I 
just  said  now,  transfer  the  honey  temporarily  stored  in  the  side  box, 
whenever  the  weather  chances  to  be  unfavorable  to  their  moving  out 
of  doors,  and  adding  to  their  treasures. 

The  reason  of  the  above  proceeding  and  treatment  of  a  hive  is  this, 
that  on  the  arrival  of  autumn ;  that  is,  the  close  of  the  honey  season, 
out  of  the  side  box,  an  artificial  stock  may  be  formed,  in  a  manner 
presently  to  be  explained,  to  whom  the  stored  poUen  wUl  prove  a  most 
acceptable  boon.  Every  colony,  or  swarm  in  the  bee  house,  may  be 
treated  in  a  similar  manner,  and  as  many  artificial  stocks  formed  as 
there  are  colonies  in  it ;  so  that,  in  fact,  where  all  things  go  well,  not  only 
may  the  apiary  increase  itself  by  accessions  from  ■without,  in  the  shape 
of  swarms  proceeding  from  the  cottage  hives,  but  it  wUl  double  itself 
within  also.  The  method  in  which  this  is  effected  shall  be  explained 
anon.     I  may  add  here,  that  in  very  good  seasons,  should  the  works 


*  The  entrance  to  the  hive,  be  it  observed,  must  never  be  changed,  otherwise,  the  sacri- 
fice of  many  valuable  lives  -would  be  the  consequence. 


80  THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER. 

in  the  new  box  appear  to  advance  with  much  rapidity,  as  soon  as  it 
appears  half  full  of  comb,  (but  not  before.)  a  glass  may  be  opened  to 
the  bees  over  the  main  box,  in  which  they  will  store  a  good  deal  of 
honey  for  the  bee  master's  own  use. 

The  method  of  removing  such  a  glass  when  full,  being  somewhat 
different  to  the  plan  pursued  under  the  cottage  system,  I  proceed  to 
explain.  It  must  first  be  broken  up  from  its  hold-fasts  of  propolis, 
which  glue  it  firmly  to  the  top  of  the  hive.  The  instrument  employ- 
ed for  tliis  purpose,  be  it  knife  or  spatula,  may  also  be  passed  right 
under  the  glass,  so  as  to  sever  the  comb  from  its  attachments  within. 
This  being  done,  tlirust  beneath  the  glass,  two  plates  of  zinc,  sufficient- 
ly large,  upon  one  of  which,  the  glass  will  be  removed,  while  the  other 
remains  to  cover  the  hole.  Before  doing  this,  however,  it  will  sometimes 
be  found  of  use  to  lift  the  glass  about  the  eighth  of  an  inch  fr'om  the 
crown  board  of  the  hive,  by  means  of  small  wedges,  or  bits  of  wood 
or  paper,  to  allow  the  bees  to  lick  up  what  honey  oozes  out  of  the 
cells,  that  may  chance  to  have  been  fractured  in  process  of  breaking 
the  glass  away  from  its  attaclmients.  Five  minutes  will  generally  suf- 
fice for  this  purpose  before  removing  the  glass,  which  must  not  be  de- 
layed too  long,  or  the  bees,  having  sucked  up  the  spilt  honey,  will  pro- 
ceed to  rifle  all  the  cells  in  the  glass,  to  the  dismay  of  the  bee  master. 
When  removed,  the  place  of  the  glass  may  be  occupied  with  another, 
or  else  the  hole  filled  up  with  a  bung  or  cork  During  the  whole  of 
this  process,  not  a  bee  need  have  escaped  to  annoy  the  operator.  I 
have  elsewhere  stated,  that  I  deeni  it  advisable  to  give  no  second 
glass  after  the  first  week  in  July  ;  the  first  reason  there  alleged  holds 
good  in  this  case  with  the  greater  force,  as  it  is  desirable  that  there 
should  be  at  least  five  or  six  pounds  of  honey  stored  in  the  box  des- 
tined for  the  new  colony. 

Pass  we  now  to  the  early  autumn  treatment  of  the  bee  house 
colonies  (for  I  think  enough  has  been  said  elsewhgro  to  guide  the 
apiarian  in  the  summer  management  of  his  bees,  and  the  autumn 
is  no  idle  time  to  the  scientific  amateur).  If  these  colonies  have 
done  Avell,  besides  the  glasses  which  may  have  been  taken  off,  there 
will  probably  be  found  a  considerable  quantity  of  comb  in  one  or 
both  of  the  side  boxes  of  his  two  swarms,  not,  however,  containing 
honey  enough  to  tempt  him  to  plunder,  or,  if  tempted,  to  repay  him 
for  the  plunder.     Bearing  in   mind,  therefore,  what   I  have   before 


THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE   KEEPER.  81 

suggested  as  to  the  costliness  of  -wax,  it  "svill  be  liis  best  policy 
either  to  preserve  this  comb  to  another  year,  (when  it  will  be  highly 
prized  by  the  bees,  to  whom  it  may  be  given,  whether  old  stock  or 
prime  swarm,)  or  to  make  use  of  it  at  once  by  turning  into  it  an  expa- 
triated doubled  colony  of  bees,  procured  from  elsewhere  expressly  for 
the  purpose,  in  other  words,  to  make  an  artificial  stock  out  of  it.  To 
this  intent,  the  first  thing  to  be  done  is  to  make  a  bargain  with  some 
one  or  more  cottage  bee  keepers  in  the  neighborhood,  who  are  least 
fooUshly  superstitious  about  their  bees,  wliile  they  adhere  religiously 
to  the  "  good  old  plan"  of  the  brimstone  pit,  as  the  best  finale  to  the 
labors  of  the  year.  In  most  places  the  bi'ibe  of  a  sixpence  or  a  shil- 
ling will  induce  them  very  readily  to  give  up  their  bees  to  the  experi- 
mental apiarian.  He  should  choose,  if  choice  is  afforded  him,  the 
strongest,  fullest,  and  most  populous  stocks,  which  will  generally  be 
the  swarms  of  the  previous  year,  that  have  swarmed  once  in  the  course 
of  the  present  season,  for  these  stocks,  having  a  young  queen,  Avill  be 
in  full  vigor  and  promise.  Next,  those  which  are  as  distant  as  possi- 
ble from  his  own  apiary,  (say  two  or  three  miles  off,)  should  be  bar- 
gained for  in  preference  to  those  that  are  nearer  at  hand,  as  the  bees 
wili  be  so  much  less  likely  to  wander  off  to  their  old  haunts  and  perish. 
It  is  also  desirable  that  the  hives  intended  for  plunder  should  stand  side 
by  side ;  nor  must  there  be  less  than  two  such  in  the  same  garden. 

These  prehminary  steps  having  been  taken — and  they  should  be 
done  in  good  time — a  fine  day  must  be  chosen,  (as  early  in  August  as 
possible,)  for  the  taking  away  of  the  side  box  or  boxes  from  one  or 
both  of  his  colonies,  according  to  circumstances.  The  removal  of  a 
box  intervening  between  the  stock  hive  and  the  open  air,  is  an  easy 
matter  in  apiaries  managed  according  to  my  plan,  though  it  may  appear 
an  affair  of  some  difficulty.  I  begin  by  thrusting  in  the  zinc  slides 
between  the  boxes,  by  which  means  I  speedily  ascertain  in  which  of  the 
boxes  the  queen  happens  to  be.  Should  it  be  apparent  that  she  has 
taken  up  her  c^uarters  in  the  box  nearest  to  the  entrance,  after  wait- 
ing some  twenty  minutes,  I  proceed  to  withdraw  the  zinc  ventilating 
slide  under  the  hive  board  of  the  side  box,  having  previously  opened 
one  of  the  windows  in  the  room  or  bee  house — all  other  Ughts  being 
darkened  so  as  to  afford  only  one  place  of  uninterrupted  egress  to  the 
bees.  If  this  be  performed  in  the  warmest  part  of  a  fine  day,  but  few 
bees  in  general  will  be  found  in  it,  and  most  of  these  will  have  eagerly 


82  THE    COTTAGE    AND    FAKM    BEE   KEEPER. 

escaped  in  the  course  of  an  hour,  and  rejoined  their  companions  in  the 
other  box.  The  ventilators  should  then  be  closed,  and  the  box  trans- 
ferred to  the  place  destined  for  the  reception  of  the  new  colony,  for,  in 
this  case,  the  old  stock  will  receive  the  expected  exiles  from  their  own 
home.  Should  it  appear,  however,  that  the  queen  remains  in  her 
original  palace,  all  the  shdes  must  be  shut  down,  and  the  boxes  shift- 
ed ;  that  is,  made  to  change  places,  after  which,  much  the  same  pro- 
cess will  follow  as  in  the  former  case,  save  only  that  the  nevj  box 
becomes  the  reserved  dwelhng  place  of  the  new  colonists,  and  to  this 
end  is  removed  to  its  prepared  position.  It  matters  not  if  a  few  bees 
are  left  among  the  combs,  for  they  will  either  harmonise  with  their 
successors,  or  return  to  their  old  locahty  on  taking  their  first  excursion 
in  the  open  air.  The  new  box  should  be  narrowly  examined,  pre- 
viously to  its  estabhshment,  as  to  the  state  of  the  comb  which  has 
been  constructed  in  it.  If,  on  inspection,  there  shows  itself  a  too  great 
abundance  of  drone  comb,  the  whole  of  it  had  best  be  cut  away,  (at 
least  as  far  as  the  ceiled  cells,)  as  this  would,  in  all  probabihty,  very 
materially  injure  the  after  prosperity  of  the  hive.  Whichever  box  be- 
comes the  habitat  of  the  new  comers,  should  be  carefully  weighed 
both  before  and  after  the  bees  are  put  into  it. 

And  now  for  the  method  of  peopling  either  of  these  hives — adestote 
animis,  lectores,  et  vos  plaudite  !  On  the  evening  of  the  same  day, 
(should  the  weather  be  of  a  settled  fine  character,  it  were  better  it 
should  take  place  the  day  iefore,)  let  the  bee  master — duly  armed  with 
every  necessary  defence,  and  accompanied  by  an  assistant  bearing 
every  requisite  implement,  including  a  similar  box  to  that  which  the 
bees  are  to  occupy — proceed  to  the  apiary  in  which  the  doomed  hives 
are  situated.  If  they  stand  side  by  side,  it  were  well  to  commence 
operations  an  hour  before  dusk,  (for  daylight,  where  possible,  is  of 
great  advantage,)  only  let  both  principal  and  assistant  be  well  de- 
fended against  every  possible  attack.  The  process  then  to  be  adopted 
is  as  follows  : — First  let  one  hive,  (the  strongest  of  at  least  two,)  be 
driven  into  a  temporary  bell  or  cottage  hive.  As  soon  as  effected — 
after  fumigating  the  old  hive  with  sulphur  to  destroy  what  bees  re- 
main, and  removing  it  in-doors — turn  up  the  second  hive,  (and  here  I 
must  interpose — have  nothing  to  do  with  casts  only  half  full  of  comb ; 
they  give  more  trouble  than  they  are  worth,)  and  set  over  it  the  same 
hive  -used  in  the  former  case,  into  which  the  population  of  the  first  hive 


THE  COTTAGE  AND  FARM  BEE  KEEPER.  83 

has  already  crept,  and  drive  as  before .  The  two  families,  (and,  indeed, 
any  number  of  bees  so  driven,)  will  unite  in  the  most  harmonious 
manner,  without  the  least  attempt  at  fighting — save  only  that  the 
jealousy  of  royalty  will  demand  a  victim.,  and  one  of  the  rival  queens 
will  be  executed  before  morning.  Of  all  the  methods  of  uniting  bees 
hitherto  practised,  this,  which  is  a  discovery  of  my  own,*  is  undoubt- 
edly one  of  the  simplest  and  most  effectual.  It  may  seem  hazardous ; 
but  I  can  testify  from  experience  to  its  value,  having  tried  it  more 
than  a  dozen  times  during  the  last  two  years  with  the  same  unfaihng 
success.  But  to  proceed — the  now  united  swarm  in  the  temporary 
hive  had  better  be  located  for  the  night  on  a  stool  exactly  half  way 
between  the  position  occupied  by  the  two  families  before  their  expa- 
triation. If,  however,  the  old  hives  did  not  stand  side  by  side,  let  it 
occupy  the  place  of  the  strongest  stock-. 

Having  collected  as  many  bees  together  as  possible  out  of  two,  three, 
or  more  hives,  and  thus  ordered  them,  patience  must  be  had  till  the 
following  day,  when,  at  any  time  between  10  a.m.  and  3  p.m.,  (but  the 
laier  the  better  within  this  space,)  the  operator  may  revisit  the  scene 
of  his  last  night's  proceedings,  and  condlude  the  business.  All  that 
now  remains  to  be  done,  is  rudely  to  shake  the  bees  out  of  the  tempo- 
rary hive  upon  the  ground,  in  some  open  but  shady  place,  in  front  of 
the  box  provided  for  their  reception,  whose  edge  must  be  elevated 
half  an  inch  or  so  from  the  ground.  It  is  evident  that  the  box  which 
the  bees  are  finally  to  occupy  may  be  used  for  this  purpose,  but  only 
if  there  be  no  great  quantity  of  bees,  brood,  or  honey  in  it.  If  it 
chanced  to  be  heavy,  there  would  be  some  danger  of  the  combs  break- 
ing down;  on  this  account,  I  advise  the  use  of  a  temporary  box, 
which,  when  the  bees  have  crept  into  it,  may  be  i^laced  on  a  board, 
and  set  on  the  stand  which  the  swarm  occupied  the  night  before.  To- 
wards evening,  when  the  bees  are  all  in,  it  may  be  carried  off  to  the 
place  destined  for  it,  and  set  over  the  box  which  the  insects  are  finally 
to  occupy.  They  Avill  all  quickly  descend,  (the  holes  intervening  hav- 
ing been  previously  opened.)  and  accustom  themselves  to  their  change 
of  home.     The  upper  box,  when  empty,  may  be  removed. 

Such  is  the  method  which  I  recommend  to  be  pursued  in  every  case 
where  it  is  desired  to  form  artificial  stocks.     If  the  process  above  ex- 

'  See  Appendix,  Note  E. 


84  THE  COTTAGE  AND  FAKM  BEE  KEEPER. 

plained  be  properly  managed  from  beginning  to  end — above  all,  if  the 
bees  saved  have  proceeded  from  strong  and  vigorous  stocks,  (at  least 
one  of  the  families  in  each  united  stock  should  answer  this  description,) 
there  is  every  probability — I  may  say  certainty — that,  with  a  judicious 
and  liberal  supply  of  food  up  to  the  desired  weight,  (and  every  such 
stock  ought  to  weigh  neither  more  nor  less  than  20  lbs.  of  contents  at 
Michaelmas,)  it  will  become  one  of  the  strongest  and  most  remunera- 
ting stocks  in  the  whole  apiary  the  following  summer.  Artificial 
stocks  obtained  in  this  manner  have  a  double  advantage,  being  both 
economical  and  i:)rofitable ;  for  they  will  cost  very-  Uttle  to  the  bee 
master,  while  his  apiary  may  increase  itself  as  rapidly,  when  worked 
on  the  non-swarming  system,  as  if  his  bees  were  allowed  to  swarm  ad 
libitum.  It  will  be  at  once  perceived,  that  an  apiary  managed  on  this 
plan,  may  be  conducted  in  a  bee  house,  without  any  assistance  at  all 
from  garden  hives,  worked  on  the  cottage  system;  I  mean,  that  the 
apiarian  may  be  altogether  independent  of  swarming,  which  is  a  mat- 
ter of  great  importance  to  dwellers  in  towns,  who  may  hitherto  have 
thought  themselves  debarred  from  the  pleasures  of  bee-keeping,  from 
their  lack  of  a  garden,  and  the  consequent  necessity  of  purchasing 
swarms.  It  will  be  seen,  moreover,  when  I  come  to  the  next  year's 
management  of  the  apiary,  that  the  increase  of  stocks  may  be  man- 
aged another  way,  without  the  ti-oublesome  necessity  even  of  procur- 
ing bees  from  elsewhere  at  all ;  so  that  one  stock,  well  managed,  may 
become  the  parent  of  a  numerous  apiary,  luithoui  even  requiring  the 
apiarian  to  move  out  of  the  room  of  his  house  tuhich  he  may  have  de- 
voted to  keeping  bees. 

There  is  yet  another  plan  of  forming  artificial  stocks,  which  I  have 
tried  with  much  success.  I  introduce  a  notice  of  it  here,  for  the  ben- 
efit chiefly  of  those  bee  keepers  who  are  curious  in  such  matters,  and 
have  the  requisite  leisure  for  conducting  the  somewhat  tedious,  though 
very  interesting,  process.  It  is  this :  After  collecting  together  the  popu- 
lation of  two  or  more  doomed  hives,  let  them  be  placed  in  a  perfectly 
empty  box.  If  fed  plentifully — and  they  should  never  lack  an  abun- 
dant supply  of  palatable  food  in  their  feeding  trough  for  at  least  a 
month  ;  that  is,  until  the  contents  of  the  box  reach  20  Dds.  in  weight — 
they  will  construct  a  great  deal  of  comb,  and  store  away  food  enough  to 
keep  them  alive  through  the  winter,  without  requiring  much,  if  any, 
additional  supply  in  the  spring.     This  method  of  rearing  bees  is,  how- 


THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER.  85 

ever,  an  expensive  one,  as  they  Avill  often  consume  from  fifteen  to  sev- 
enteen shillings'  worth  of  honey  or  prepared  food,  before  their  hive 
attains  the  requisite  weight.  If,  however,  the  thing  be  weU  managed, 
a  colony  of  this  kind  becomes  exceedingly  profitable.  I  reared  one  in 
this  way  through  the  winter  of  1849,  which  yielded  me  34  lbs.  of  the 
finest  honey  in  the  indifferent  bee  year  that  followed  ;  and  it  is  now, 
(February,  1851,)  in  the  very  best  health,  keeping  up  a  much  higher 
average  temperature  than  any  of  my  other  stocks.  If  this  plan  be 
adopted,  the  stock  should  be  formed  as  early  as  possible  in  August, 
when  th6  queen,  if  a  good  breeder,  will  be  tempted  to  lay  considera- 
bly before  the  close  of  the  year.  The  method,  however,  before  detail- 
ed, is  to  be  greatly  preferred,  for  the  comb  being  for  the  most  part 
already  constructed,  not  more  than  from  six  to  ten  pounds  of  food  need, 
in  general,  be  supphed,  at  the  cost  of  a  very  trifle,  and  tliis  wUl  put  it 
on  as  safe  a  footing  as  any  other  stocks. 

Towards  the  close  of  August,  (see  reasons  for  mentioning  so  early 
a  date  in  Chapter  XI.,)  every  hive  in  the  apiary  should  be  put  on  a 
proper  footing  to  stand  the  winter,  by  supplying  to  those  colonies, 
which  may  be  found  deficient  in  weight,  as  much  food  as  will  bring 
them  up  to  at  least  20  lbs.  of  contents — the  garden  hives  should  weigh 
a  pound  or  two  more,  to  make  allowance  for  the  increasing  weight  of 
the  old  comb.*  For  winter  management,  aU  that  is  requisite,  besides 
an  occasional  cleansing  of  the  boards,  is  to  keep  off  the  effects  of  a  win- 
ter Bun  in  cold  weather.  The  felt  or  drugget  bUnd  in  the  window  ap- 
iary will  ans^Ver  the  purpose  of  a  sun  guard  well  enough,  where  the 
window  faces  the  south.  Besides  this,  in  both  bee  house  and  window 
apiary  I  take  care  to  confine  the  bees  close  prisoners  when  the  suu 
shines  in  cold  weather,  as  I  also  do  during  the  prevalence  of  a  high 


*  As  to  these  cottage  hives,  I  have  supposed  before  that  it  was  intended  they  should  qual- 
ify themselves  to  stand  as  winter  stocks ;  and  to  this  end,  casting,  in  both  cases,  should 
have  been  carefully  prevented.  If  not  more  than  four  years  old,  and  sufficiently  strong  in 
weight  and  population,  it  will  be  advisable  by  all  means  to  keep  them  to  another  season  ; 
should  either  of  them,  however,  appear  to  be  weak,  or  should  it  exceed  four  years  in  age,  it 
were  best,  perhaps,  to  break  it  up  as  soon  as  August  is  drawing  to  a  close.  To  this  end, 
the  bees  may  be  first  fumigated,  or  driven  into  an  empty  hive,  and  joined  to  their  compan- 
ions in  the  neighboring  stock ;  after  which,  cut  out  all  the  combs  with  care,  and  remove 
from  them  all  that  is  still  occupied  with  brood.  Whatever  honey  is  found  in  the  hive, 
being  of  an  inferior  quality,  will  do  admirably  to  mix  with  the  food  supplied  to  the  artifi- 
cial stocks. 


86  THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPFK. 

wind  in  mild  weather,  by  pushing  in  the;  shdes  between  the  box  and 
the  wall  in  everj;  colony,  which  keeps  them  in  total  darkness,  be  the 
glitter  of  snow  or  the  sun's  glare  ever  so  bright.  In  the  meanwhile, 
it  is  prudent  always  to  open  the  ventilators  below,  to  afford  them  the 
necessary  air.  In  calm  mild  weather,  however,  the  bees  should  have 
free  access  to  the  open  air,  as  exercise  in  winter,  where  it  may  safely 
be  enjoyed,  is  of  great  advantage  to  them.  On  the  breaking  up  of 
a  frost,  and  after  a  general  thaw,  afltbrd  as  much  air  as  possible  ;  also 
a  current  of  air  through  the  hive  occasionally  in  mild  di-y  weather, 
will  be  found  very  beneficial,  especially  in  wooden  boxes,  which  are 
more  Uable  to  accumulations  of  damp,  arising  from  condensed  vapor, 
than  the  old  bell-shaped  cottage  hive. 

The  process  of  board-cleansing,  which  I  have  before  described  in  the 
instance  of  straw  hives,  may  be  thus  conducted :  Let  an  evening  be 
chosen  when  the  wind  is  blowing  in  a  direction  towards  the  apiary  ; 
then  remove  the  blank  ventilator  so  as  to  cause  a  rush  of  air  over  the 
floor  board,  which  will  compel  the  bees  to  ascend  up  among  the 
combs.  This  effected,  slide  the  hive  gently  but  quickly  on  to  the 
board  of  its  side  box,  which  must  previously  have  been  removed. 
After  scraping  and  washing  the  board  thoroughly — at  the  same  time 
drying  it  by  the  fire — the  hive  may  be  pushed  back  again  to  its  old 
place  without  a  single  bee  having  escaped  to  annoy  the  operator. 

Second  Year. — I  come  now  to  the  second  year's  treatment  of  the 
house  apiary,  in  obedience  to  the  plan  and  rule  which  I  laid  down  to 
myself  at  the  beginning.  As  to  the  early  treatment  of  the  hives,  much 
the  same  attention  will  have  to  be  bestowed  on  them  towards  the  ap- 
proach of  spring  as  was  recommended  to  be  given  to  hives  managed 
on  the  cottage  system,  including  the  judicious  excision  of  mouldy 
combs.  These,  however,  are  not  likely  to  be  found  so  early  in  the 
history  of  a  new  apiary.  Most  writers  on  bees  advise  the  partial  feed- 
ing of  even  strong  hives  in  the  early  spring.  To  tliis  opinion  I  myself 
incline,  having  tried  it  with  advantage.  It  must  be  done  with  much 
judgment,  however,  or  it  becomes  of  positive  injury  to  the  bees.  In 
the  case  of  stocks  established  in  the  natural  way,  there  is  nothing  so 
good  to  feed  with  as  warm  diluted  honey.  Instead  of  this,  for  a  stock 
artificially  formed,  the  food  suppUed  should  be  somewhat  inferior  in 
quality  to  that  stoi-ed  in  the  hive,  as  it  is  important  that  whatever  pre- 
pared food  was  given  them  in  autumn  should  be  all  cleared  away  be- 


THE  COTTAGE  AND  FARM  BEE  KEEPER.  87 

fore  the  honey  season  comes ;  and  if  a  better  food  were  given  them 
they  might  perhaps  neglect  it.  Whatever  food  be  given,  it  must  be 
given  only  on  mild  calm  days,  when  the  temperature  of  the  weather 
is  about  50°  F.  and  upwards.  To  stimulate  a  hive,  (for  this  food  is 
given  with  this  intent,)  during  the  prevalence  of  high  winds  or  cold 
showery  weather,  is  to  endanger  its  existence  by  inducing  an  injurious 
activity  among  the  bees,  who  venture  forth  under  its  influence  to  al- 
most certain  death.  In  propitious  weather,  however,  a  tablespoonful 
of  food  each  day  may  be  given  vdth  much  advantage ;  but  care  must 
be  taken  in  feeding  to  avoid  creating  a  current  of  air  through  the  hive, 
which  would  neutralise  the  beneficial  influence  of  the  feeding  stimulus 
by  reducing  the  temperature  which  the  other  tended  to  raise.  Co- 
pious spring  feeding,  except  where  a  hive  is  starving,  is  altogether  to 
be  avoided.  It  tempts  many  bees  to  neglect  their  duty  to  the  young 
brood ;  besides  that,  in  storing  it  away,  they  necessarily  encroach  on 
the  queen's  breeding  space,  and  so  positively  assist  in  weakening  the 
colony. 

As  the  month  of  April  speeds  away,  the  strength  of  all  the  hives 
that  have  well  survived  the  winter  and  the  perils  of  the  early  spring 
increases  daily,  so  that  more  room  will  shortly  be  required.  Before  this 
is  given,  however,  let  the  bottom  boards  throughout  the  apiary  receive 
a  final  cleansing  for  the  season.  The  in-door  colonies  on  or  about  the 
first  of  May  must  next  be  supplied  with  glasses,  duly  furnished  with 
guide  comb.  These,  let  me  repeat  here,  must  be  carefully  protected 
firom  the  influence  of  cold  by  thick  woollen  coverings  of  some  sort  ; 
the  warmer  they  are  kept  in  general  the  better,  though  when  the  wea- 
ther is  very  sultry  they  may  be  left  quite  uncovered.  Bees  wiU  some- 
times commence  working  in  a  glass  as  early  as  April,  often  in  the  mid- 
dle of  May.  At  this  time  it  should  be  kept  always  covered,  for  the 
population  wiU  not  yet  be  so  numerous  as  to  be  unable  to  regulate 
the  temperature  for  themselves.  Be  it  also  remembered,  that  comb- 
making  is  by  all  means  to  be  encouraged,  so  that  when  honey  abounds 
there  may  be  ready-constructed  room  in  which  to  store  it.  Never 
mind  if  the  bees,  on  the  return  of  ungenial  weather,  carry  all  the 
honey  as  yet  stored  down  into  the  liive,  when  seasonable  weather  re- 
appears they  will  soon  fiU  the  cells  up  again. 

As  the  year  advances  and  the  population  increases,  much  attention 
must  be  paid  to  the  seasonable  supply  of  additioital  hive  room,  some 


88  THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER. 

days,  and  even  weeks,  before  it  becomes  absolutely  necessary.  Expe- 
rience has  convinced  me  that  the  existence  of  vacant  space  in  a  hive 
has  a  tendency  to  stimulate  the  bees'  industry ;  however,  let  it  be  so 
given  as  not  to  reduce  too  low  the  temperature  of  the  hive.  Now 
also  is  the  time  for  the  bee  master  to  provide  for  the  autumnal  increase 
of  his  apiary,  should  he  desire  it,  according  to  the  plan  before  suggest- 
ed, of  which,  indeed,  we  suppose  him  to  have  made  trial  the  year  be- 
fore. Whatever  success  he  may  have  obtained  then,  now  certainly 
he  may,  (unless  the  season  should  prove  extremely  bad,)  have  four 
boxes  in  the  autumn,  out  of  which  to  make  as  many  artificial  stocks, 
if  he  can  get  bees  enough  to  tenant  them.  A  further  advantage  there 
wUl  accrue  from  this  treatment  of  his  stocks,  namely,  that  by  shifting 
his  boxes,  in  the  way  pointed  out  a  few  pages  back,  and  compelling 
the  bees  to  pass  from  their  hive  into  the  open  air  through  an  empty 
box,  much  anxiety  will  be  spared  him  as  to  the  possible  swarming 
away  of  his  bees ;  for  if  the  boxes  be  shifted  in  good  time,  say  at  the 
end  of  April,  they  vsdll  be  sure  not  to  swarm  if  space  to  work  in  be 
afterwards  supplied  to  them  as  fast  as  they  want  it,  and  the  boxes  are 
well  sheltered  from  the  sun.  The  earlier  too  the  boxes  are  shifted,  the 
greater  heat  will  be  engendered  in  the  stock,  which  being  moved  so 
far  away  from  the  entrance,  ■will  be  less  sensitive  of  the  changes  of  the 
weather ;  thus  wiU  the  maturation  of  the  brood  be  advanced  the  spee- 
dier. Plenty  of  spare  room  over  the  pavilion  must  be  opened  to 
them,  as  it  is  wanted ;  for  in  proportion  as  they  have  room  given 
them  to  store  above  their  proper  domicile,  the  less  honey  will  be  de- 
posited in  the  ante-chamber,  out  of  which  the  new  colony  is  to  be 
made.  Should  the  bees  increase  so  greatly  in  numbers  as  to  compel 
them  to  hang  outside,  from  the  alighting  board,  when  all  the  available 
space  has  been  given  them,  a  glass  or  box,  even  though  not  quite  full, 
must  be  taken  away,  and  its  place  suppHed  by  an  empty  one.  The 
partially-fiUed  glass  or  box  may  be  replaced  later  in  the  season,  if,  on 
removing  other  glasses  or  boxes,  honey  seems  to  be  collected  still  in 
any  quantity.  His  own  judgment  must  guide  the  bee  master  in  his 
decision,  as  to  whether  he  shall  appropriate  the  contents  at  once  or 
reserve  it  as  I  have  just  suggested ;  only  be  it  borne  in  mind,  that 
empty  comb  is  of  httle  value  in  itself,  but  a  great  boon  to  the  bees, 
and  a  prize  to  their  master  himself  in  the  end,  if  returned  to  him  full 
of  honey.     Empty  comb,  however,  is  always  useful  to  tempt  them  up 


THE    COTTAGE    A>T)    FARM    BSE    KEErER.  89 

into  a  glass  or  super,  in  the  way  of  guide  or  decoy  comb,  especially  if 
there  chance  to  be  a  little  honey  in  it ;  some  ought  certainly  to  be  re- 
served and  laid  by  for  this  purpose  every  year. 

Let  me  now  fulfil!  the  promise  which  I  made  to  reveal  to  the  bee 
master  a  method  of  increasing  his  stock  hives  loithout  the  necessity  of 
his  moving  from  the  bee  house,  so  as  to  make  him  entirely  independent 
of  the  process  of  swarming,  or  driving  bees,  as  a  means  of  stocking 
his  apiary. 

To  form  a  stock  of  bees  according  to  this  method,  it  is  simply  requi- 
site to  catch  the  queen  bee  of  a  strong  colony,  some  time  between  the 
end  of  the  third  week  in  May,  and  the  middle  of  the  month  of  July ; 
that  is,  before  the  slaughter  of  the  drones  has  commenced  in  that  partic- 
ular hive,  and  while  there  is  still  much  brood  in  it.  To  secure  the  per- 
son of  majesty,  with  this  end  in  view,  may  seem  difficult  in  the  case 
of  common  box  colony.  In  reality,  it  is  far  easier  than  to  secure  the 
queen  of  a  leaf  or  observatory  hive,  for  she  may  be  caught  without 
the  escape  of  a  single  bee — ^with  the  utmost  coolness  on  the  part  of  the 
operator — and  even  without  laying  a  finger  on  the  royal  person.  To 
succeed  in  this  enterprise,  however,  the  bees  must  have  worked  some 
comb  in  one  or  more  bee  glasses,  (the  more  the  better,)  the  colony 
must  be  strong  in  population,  eggs  must  be  found  in  the  stock  hive, 
and  the  queen  must  be  still  vigorous.  These  necessary  points  occur- 
ring together,  nothing  is  wanting  to  success  but  the  watchfulness  of 
the  operator.  As  June  advances,  and  the  bees'  ardor  in  the  collection 
of  honey  is  at  its  height,  scarcely  a  day  wiU  pass  in  which  the  queen 
of  a  vigorous  stock  "will  not  appear  several  times  in  one  or  all  of  the 
glasses  over  the  stock  hive.  She  is  anxious  to  lay,  but  it  is  with  diffi- 
culty, (owing  to  the  demand  for  store  room,)  that  she  can  find  suita- 
ble cells,  wherein  to  deposit  her  eggs.  Indeed,  it  is  only  when  by 
mere  good  luck,  she  happens  to  anticipate  her  subjects  in  finding  a  cell 
just  vacated  by  a  young-escaped  bee,  that  she  can  lay  with  comfort; 
in  this  strait,  she  perambulates  every  part  of  the  hive  in  search  of 
breeding  space,  and  in  the  course  of  her  journeyings,  among  other 
places,  she  visits  the  bee  glasses.  Now,  if  at  any  one  of  these  mo- 
ments, (and  they  occur  pretty  frequently,)  the  bee  master  happens  to 
be  on  the  watch,  the  golden  moment  is  arrived.  Without  loss  of  time, 
let  him  thrust  a  couple  of  zinc  plates  between  the  glass  in  which  the 

E 


90  THE  COTTAGE  AND  FARM  BEE  KEEPER. 

queen  has  appeared,  and  the  hive  itself,  and  then  remove  the  glass 
away  on  its  plate,  putting  it  aside  tiU  it  is  wanted.* 

The  next  thing  to  be  done  is  to  thrust  in  all  the  slides ;  after  which, 
remove  the  stock  box  to  the  place  in  the  apiary  destined  for  the  re- 
ception of  the  new  colony,  leaving  the  other  box  behind,!  which,  if  it 
have  some  comb  and  honey  in  it,  is  in  so  much  the  better  circumstan- 
ces. Now,  (if  it  have  not  been  done  before,)  set  the  glass  containing 
the  queen  over  one  of  the  holes  over  this  side  box,  and  one  of  the 
new  colonies  is  formed. 

A  strict  watch  must  now  be  kept  upon  the  old  box,  whose  occu- 
pants, (as  at  the  time  of  the  division  of  the  colony,)  are  still  imprison- 
ed. Should  the  quicksilver  rise  to  lOOo  F.,  or  near  it,t  part  of  the 
population  must  be  suffered  to  escape — the  box  being  kept  as  cool  as 
possible  in  the  meanwhile — until  the  heat  descends  to  below  90". 
If  the  temperature  of  the  box  should  not  rise  beyond  this,  (or  as  soon 
as  it  has  become  reduced  to  this,)  let  the  bees  be  kept  close  prisoners 
for  forty-eight  hours,  by  which  time — if  there  ivas  any  suitahle  hrood 
in  the  hive — they  will  have  commenced  the  formation  of  royal  cells 
preparatory  to  the  raising  of  an  artificial  queen.  They  may  then, 
very  early  in  the  morning,  or  better  towards  evening,  be  released  with 
safety ;  some  may  and  probably  will  return  to  the  old  hive,  but  the 
greater  body  of  them  will  remain  true  to  their  new  home  and  expected 
sovereign,  having  altogether  forgotten  their  old  attachments.  Of  course, 
the  earlier  in  the  season  this  operation  can  be  done,  the  better,  chiefly, 
because  that  then,  no  fears  need  reasonably  be  entertained  as  to 
whether  there  exists  in  the  hive  suitable  brood  for  rearing  an  artificial 
queen  or  not.  In  one  of  my  boxes,  the  fact  may  generally  be  ascer- 
tained by  looking  in  at  the  windows,  of  which  the  more — and  the  lar- 
ger they  are — the  better.  But,  indeed,  it  may  be  taken  for  granted, 
that  a  sufficiency  of  eggs  or  larvje  of  a  proper  age,  will  be  always 
found  in  a  good  stock,  worked  on  the  depriving  system,  during  the 


*  Air  must  be  given  to  the  imprisoned  bees,  or  they  might  die  of  suffocation,  especially  if 
very  numerous  in  the  glass. 

t  I  suppose  it  to  have  previously  intervened  between  the  "  pavilion"  where  the  queen 
•was,  and  the  open  air. 

t  A  thermometer  is  almost  indispensable  in  the  box  for  the  perfect  success  of  this 
operation. 


THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER.  91 

months  of  May,  June,  July,  and  August.  The  operation  should  not 
be  attempted,  however,  later  than  July,  for  a  variety  of  reasons,  which 
it  is  unnecessary  to  specify. 

To  tvu-n  back  to  the  straw  hives  in  the  open  air.  Bearing  in  mind 
that  their  queens  are  now  only  barely  a  year  old,  it  will  be  unnecessary 
to  destroy  them  this  season.  Therefore,  soon  after  the  middle  of  May, 
(but  see  Chapter  VII.,)  force  artificial  swarms  fi-om  them.  These,  in- 
stead of  being  removed  to  the  bee  house,  for  I  doubt  whether  most  of 
the  bees,  when  forced  to  swarm,  would  not  return  to  the  old  hive  the 
following  day — perhaps  queen  and  all  would  decamp  together — these, 
I  say,  had  better  be  put  into  large  straw  hives,  and  made  to  take  the 
place  of  the  old  ones,  for  permanent  stocks.  Nine  tenths  of  the  pop- 
ulation may  be  driven  out  of  the  old  hives,  so  as  to  strengthen  to  the 
utmost  the  concUtion  of  the  swarms,  in  order  that  they  may  well  fill 
their  hives  before  winter.  This  they  will  probably  do  so  eff'ectually  as 
to  weigh  from  50  to  70  lbs.  of  contents,  glasses  and  all  included, 
which  may  be  taken  from  them.  To  anticipate  the  time,  I  would  ob- 
serve here,  that  if  the  weight  of  either  of  these  hives  much  exceed  25 
lbs.  of  contents  at  Michaelmas,  it  were  well  to  break  up  the  top,  and 
scoop  out  from  the  upper  cells  of  the  combs,  on  one  side,  as  many 
pounds  of  honey  as  would  reduce  it  to  that  weight  or  a  Uttle  less ;  the 
reason  of  this  spoUation  I  have  elsewhere  stated. 

The  best  way  to  treat  the  old  hive  under  these  circumstances,  (that 
is,  after  forcing  the  artificial  swarms  out  of  them,)  is  to  make  one  good 
stock  of  them.  To  effect  this,  set  one  of  them  bottom  upwards  in  a 
pail,  which  must  be  used  the  next  three  weeks  as  a  stand  for  the  hive. 
Before  turning  the  hive  up  in  it,  the  pail  should  be  fii-mly  fixed  to  the 
spot  by  running  three  or  four  stout  stakes  into  the  ground  close  to  it 
all  round,  so  that  no  sudden  gust  of  wind  nor  accidental  blow  may 
knock  it  over.  Having  adjusted  one  of  the  hives,  the  largest  and  fresh- 
est, in  it,  as  explained  just  now,  let  the  other  be  brought  and  fitted 
nicely  over  the  other,  so  that  the  two  hives  shall  form  but  one  family. 
They  must  be  well  fitted  together,  first  by  thrusting  long  and  sharp 
skewers  of  wood  through  the  straw  of  one  into  the  straw  of  the  other, 
and  plastering  up  the  spaces  between  the  hives  tln-ough  which  the 
bees  might  creep  in  and  out,  taking  care  to  leave  only  one  hole  for 
the  use  of  the  united  families.  This  done,  a  neat  hackle  may  be  placed 
over  the  crown  of  the  topmost  hive.     By  the  end  of  three  weeks, 


92  THE    COTTAGE     AND     FARM    BEE    KEEPER. 

this  colony  will  be  very  numerous  in  population,  every  bee  having 
been  hatched  out  of  the  cells  vphich  were  left  full  of  eggs  or  brood  on 
the  issue  of  the  swarm  from  each.  In  this  case,  it  is  not  so  necessary 
that  royal  brood  should  have  been  left  by  the  old  queen ;  in  fact,  it 
were  perhaps  better  that  the  bees  should  rear  a  queen  artificially,  be- 
cause, at  the  expiration  of  the  three  weeks,  she  wiU  probably  not  have 
laid  a  single  egg  yet  in  the  hive.  When  this  time  is  fully  come,  take 
oflf  the  wpper  hive,  which  wiU  be  principally  occupied  by  the  bees,  and 
set  it  on  a  stool  provided  for  it,  close  to  where  it  stood  before ;  that  is,  as 
close  as  possible  to  the  pail.  Now  remove  the  reverse cZ  hive,  whose  combs 
and  cells  will  generally  be  found  quite  empty  of  brood,  and  deserted 
by  the  bees,  and  cut  out  of  it  half  the  combs,  on  the  side  where  they 
appear  oldest  and  blackest.  When  I  say  half  the  combs,  I  do  not 
mean  entire  combs,  but  so  much  of  them  as  appears  to  have  been  prin- 
cipally used  for  breeding  purposes,  for  the  upper  part,  although  dark 
in  color,  pei^iaps,  is  sure  to  be  good  yet ;  in  fact,  it  very  rarely  becomes 
black  and  old  as  the  lower  cells  do.  Having  duly  prepared  it  in  this 
manner,  take  the  former  hive  and  drive  all  the  bees  out  of  it  into  the 
one  just  prepared  for  their  reception.  They  may  be  placed  finally  on 
the  stool,  and  suffered  to  right  themselves  as  best  they  may.  As  this 
will  be  done  very  early  in  June,  there  is  every  chance  of  these  bees  col- 
lecting a  good  deal  of  honey  before  winter,  and  replacing  the  re- 
moved comb  with  beautiful  fresh  cells,  so  that  they  will  form  a  good 
stock  for  another  year.  Either  this  hive  may  be  suffered  to  remain 
where  it  is,  as  a  third  garden  stock,  or  it  may  be  transferred  to  the 
bee  house  about  Christmas,  there  to  remain  till  the  following  spring, 
when  the  whole  population  may  be  forced  from  it  at  the  usual  time, 
as  a  swarm,  and  located  in  a  box  in  its  place  ;  it  may  then  be  set  over 
some  other  stock  for  the  full  period  of  three  weeks,  until  every  grub 
in  it  has  been  hatched  out,  after  which  let  it  be  destroyed. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  month  of  August,  the  bee  master  will  turn 
his  attention  to  the  stocks  to  be  formed  artificially.  Hitherto,  his  ap- 
iary has  only  increased  by  the  addition  of  one  garden  stock  since  the 
preceding  autumn,  unless  he  have  adopted  the  plan  detailed  a  few 
pages  back ;  but  it  may  now  be  enlarged  from  seven  to  eleven  colo- 
nies, by  giving  to  each  of  the  ante-chamber  boxes  in  the  bee  house  a 
new  population,  each  under  a  distinct  government.  The  method  of 
conducting  this  interesting  series  of  operations  has  been  already  so 


THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER.  93 

amply  explained,  that  it  is  needless  for  me  to  say  anything  more  here 
on  the  subject. 

Before  I  wind  up  this  chapter  to  a  conclusion,  it  remains  for  me  to 
give  a  few  directions  concerning  the  best  method  of  renewing  period- 
ically the  once-estabUshed  stocks  in  the  apiary.  I  speak  here  of  two 
kinds  of  renovation — renovation  of  comb^  and  renewal  or  exchange  of 
qvsen  when  she  begins  to  wane  in  vigor. 

Renovation  of  comb  should  take  place  not  less  often  than  once  in 
every  four  or  five  years.  When  it  becomes  desirable  to  effect  this,  all 
that  is  requisite  to  be  done,  is  to  set  the  old  box  into  the  spring  over, 
instead  of  at  the  side  of,  the  ante-chamber,  when  additional  room  is 
given  to  the  hive.  As  the  comb  is  worked  below,  the  queen  will  de- 
scend, for  instinct  leads  her  to  descend  as  low  as  possible  towards  the 
entrance  of  the  hive  ;  not  only  so,  she  will  prefer  the  new  and  clean, 
to  the  old  and  worn-out  comb  for  laying  her  eggs.  There  is  one  ob- 
jection to  this  plan,  namely,  that  the  bees  will  then  store  their  honey 
in  the  upper  hive  among  the  old  combs.  To  avoid  this,  which  would 
materially  lessen  the  profit  derivable  from  this  stock  during  that  par- 
ticular season,  as  soon  as  the  bees  have  worked  some  comb  below, 
thrust  a  divider  between  the  boxes,  (taking  care  to  admit  air  to  the 
upper  box,  by  elevating  it  to  the  eighth  of  an  inch  or  so,  on  thin  pieces 
of  wood,)  and  wait  the  issue.  If  the  bees  after  a  time  get  very 
restless  above,  it  may  be  inferred  that  the  queen  is  below,  in  which 
case,  suffer  the  bees  to  escape  by  elevating  the  box  suflficiently  on  one 
side ;  if  they  refuse  to  leave  the  hive,  it  is  a  sign  they  have  not  dis- 
covered the  loss  of  their  queen,  who,  therefore,  doubtless  is  among 
them.  In  this  case,  the  box  must  be  restored,  and  the  divider  with- 
drawn. This  should  be  repeated  twice  or  thrice,  (or  as  often  as  desir- 
able,) every  week  until  successful.  Having  removed  the  upper  box 
at  last,  cut  out  aU  the  lower  part  of  every  comb,  leaving  two  inches 
of  each  adhering  to  the  roof  if  apparently  still  good.  The  box  should 
then  be  removed  to  some  dry  place  tiU  wanted  for  an  artificial  stock, 
or  else,  if  not  wanted  for  this  purpose,  it  had  better  be  cleaned  out  al- 
together, and  be  well  scraped  and  scrubbed.  If  removed  befcJre  June, 
it  is  evident  that  the  now  young  stock  may,  and  probably  will,  give 
some  surplus  honey  in  a  glass  or  side  box. 

There  is  yet  another  way  of  treating  a  stock  of  this  kind.  It  is  to 
manage  it  in  the  spring  as  if  with  the  intention  of  forming  an  artificial 
stock;  then  to  drive  the- bees,  in  August,  out  of  the  old  box  into  ^n 


94  THE  COTTAGE  AND  FARM  BEE  KEEPER. 

empty  one,  and  to  set  this  over  the  side  box,  which  is  supposed  to  be 
partially  filled  with  honey  and  comb.  If  thus  treated  every  alternate 
year,  the  stock  box  of  every  colony  should  have  only  Ticdf  of  its  comb 
cut  away  at  a  time.  It  will  thus  be  preserved  in  perpetuity,  and  may 
either  have  its  former  occupants  returned,  or  receive  a  new  queen  and 
fresh  population.  In  either  case,  whatever  brood  may  be  found  in  the 
box  to  be  renewed,  may,  and  ought,  (if  in  any  quantity,)  to  be  saved. 
How  this  may  be  done  has  already  been  sufficiently  pointed  out  in 
Chapters  V.  and  VII. 

To  renovate  a  hive  by  substituting  a  young  for  an  old  and  worn-out 
queen — whether  she  be  three  or  four  years  old — the  plan  to  be  pur- 
sued is  still  more  simple,  and  no  less  efficacious,  than  that  just  advised 
for  comb  renewal. 

I  may  premise  that  one  very  serious  objection  to  the  depriving  or 
non-swarming  system,  where  it  is  folloAved  in  its  integrity,  (and  to  the 
existence  of  objections  to  it  I  have  alluded  before,)  is  to  be  found  in 
tliis :  That,  owing  to  the  absence  of  a  demand  for  royal  brood  tol  ead 
off  colonies,  the  queen  sometimes  lays  no  royal  egg*  at  all  in  the 
hive ;  or  if  she  does  lay  in  royal  cells,  the  bees  destroy  the  grubs  be- 
fore they  come  to  maturity.  Now,  should  this  happen  for  three  or 
four  years  consecutively,  it  stands  to  reason  that  the  colony  must 
perish — I  mean  where  the  decay  of  the  queen  is  gradual,  when  even 
the  laying  of  worker  eggs  is  discontinued  some  time  previous  to  her 
death,  out  of  Avhich  a  sovereign  might  be  raised  artificially  to  supply 
her  place.  To  this,  among  other  causes,  must  be  attributed  the  very 
frequent  casualties  which  occur  in  box  colonies  that  are  not  suffered 
to  swarm.  I  should  almost  be  disposed  to  lay  it  down  as  an  excep- 
tion to  the  rule,  Avhere  they  thrive  for  more  than  four  consecutive 
years  together.  Every  scientific  manager  of  an  apiary  ought,  there- 
fore, by  careful  observation,  to  make  himself  acquainted,  as  accurately 
as  possible,  with  the  age  and  pedigree  of  every  queen  bee  under  his 
charge,  so  as  to  be  able,  by  a  judicious  removal  of  the  old  queens,  and 
the  substitution  of  young  and  vigorous  ones  in  their  place,  to  preserve 
his  colonies  perpetually  in  thorough  working  order. 

Now  one  way  to  do  this  is  as  folloAVS : — Let  him  procure  from  his 


*  I  use  thfi  term  "  royal  egg"  in  a  popular  sense  ;  not  that  I  believn  the  flgg  from  which 
a  queen  is  reared  to  be  at  all  difFerent  from  those  eggs  out  of  -which  the  common  bens 
proceed. 


THE  COTTAGE  AND  FARM  BEE  KEEPER.  95 

cottage  neighbors  the  population  of  their  strong  casts  that  are  doomed 
to  the  brimstone  pit.  These  may  then  be  driven  out  of  their  several 
hives,  and  set  over  the  colonies  to, be  renewed,  (one  strong  cast  to 
each  colony,)  from  which  the  original  inhabitants,  together  with  then: 
queen,  have  been  previously  withdraAvn.  These  last,  on  being  driven, 
should  have  their  queens  destroyed,  which  will  have  the  effect  of  com- 
peUing  them  to  return  home ;  here  they  ought  to  find  their  old  dwell- 
ing, (after  being  deprived  of  part  of  its  comb,  if  need  require,)  sur- 
mounted by  the  cast  procured  for  the  purpose.  The  bees  above, 
however,  should  not  be  suffered  to  have  access  to  the  hive  below  till 
after  some  time  has  elapsed.  A  piece  of  perforated  zinc  interposed 
between  the  two  hives  for  a  few  hours,  will  prove  effectual  in  recon- 
ciling the  natives  and  the  new  comers  together.  This  I  recommend 
more  by  way  precautiojn,  than  from  any  idea  of  the  danger  of  a  fight, 
even  on  the  immediate  union  of  the  two  families.  I  have  known  the 
bees  of  two  hives,  located  side  by  side  on  the  same  stand,  fraternise* 
very  curiously  at  swarming  time,  when  the  queen  of  one  of  the  hives 
chanced  to  have  been  lost. 

Should  it  be  found  a  matter  of  difficulty  to  procure  such  casts  from 
cottagers,  (and  they  ought  to  be  instructed  to  keep  no  casts  at  all,)  the 
bee  master  must  manage  to  procure  a  supply  of  young  queens  at 
home.  For  this  reason,  if  for  no  other,  it  will  be  advisable  to  keep 
several  hives. of  straw  in  the  open  air,  whose  old  queens  may  be  de- 
stroyed every  year,  according  to  the  plan  detailed  in  Chapter  V. 
Thus  even  the  spoliation  swarms^  managed  according  to  my  cottager 
plan,  may  always  be  made  to  contain  youthful  queens,  by  merely  re- 
turning the  swarms  or  their  first  issue,  after  previously  kiUing  the 
queens. 

By  a  close  attention  to  the  directions  contained  in  this  chapter, 
(many  of  which,  however,  are  in  the  main  suggestive,  rather  than 
given  as  the  result  of  experience,)  there  can  be  no  doubt  whatever  of 
success;  an  apiary  may  have  a  prolonged  existence  of  perpetual 
youth,  and  of  the  most  flourishing  vigor,  while  the  intelligent  bee  mas- 
ter vrill  not  only  reap  a  large  reward  for  his  pains,  in  the  overflowing 
spoils  of  every  season,  but  have  the  purest  enjoyment  in  his  scientific 
management  of  these  interesting  insects. 

»  Sne  Appendix,  note  K. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

OF  FEEDING  BEES. 

Enough  has  been  written  by  other  authors  on  the  importance  of  feed- 
ing bees,  to  render  it  unnecessary  for  me  to  detain  the  reader  with 
any  observations  of  my  own  in  recommendation  of  it.  Suffice  it  to 
say,  that  no  person  deserves  to  succeed  as  an  apiarian,  who,  in  these 
days,  neglects,  from  whatever  cause,  to  establish  his  stocks  in  sufficient 
wealth  in  autumn,  or  to  supply  them  in  spring  with  enough  food  to 
remove  all  danger  of  their  perishing  from  starvation. 

I  have  some  few  remarks  to  make,  however,  respecting  the  manner 
and  time  of  feeding,  the  food  to  be  used,  and  the  vessels  in  which  it 
shoiild  be  given. 

In  the  first  place,  where  it  can  be  done,  I  have  no  doubt  that  fe)p- 
feeding  is  greatly  to  be  preferred  to  every  other  method.  To  those 
who  have  holes  at  the  top  of  their  hives,  the  process  of  feeding  be- 
comes very  Simple  indeed,  especially  in  the  case  of  box  hives  in  a  bee 
house  or  window  apiary.  Here  the  apiator  may  feed  his  bees  at  any 
time,  whereas  in  the  open  air,  the  food  can  be  supphed  only  at  night, 
owing  to  the  perpetual  annoyance  from  stranger  bees  or  wasps,  who, 
being  quick  of  scent,  in  the  autumn,  especially  at  a  season  when  Httle 
honey  is  to  be  found  in  the  woods  or  fields,  will  crowd  around  the 
hives  that  are  being  fed,  with  surprising  pertinacity. 

Mr.  Nutt's  plan,  (namely,  feeding  in  drawers  beneath  the  bottom 
boards,)  hoAvever  well  it  may  answer  in  warm  weather;  that  is,  when  the 
external  temperature  averages  from  50°  to  60°  F.,  is  wholly  inefiec- 
tual  under  other  circumstances.  The  bees  will  descend  unwillingly, 
and  at  imminent  danger  of  their  Uves.  The  same  objection  holds  against 
the  use  of  scoops  of  elder  wood,  or  jjlates  thrust  underneath  the  hive 
itself  iipon  the  board.  But  if  the  hole  at  the  top  of  the  hive,  by  which 
the  bees  have  access  to  the  feeder,  be  in  the  centre — or  where  the  bees 
chiefly  congregate — they  will  at  all  times  eat  more  than  others,  and 


THE  COTTAGE  AXD  FARM  BEE  KEEPER. 


97 


will  continue  to  take  food  more  or  less  actively,  when  the  tempera- 
ture is  as  low  as  40°.*  This  fact  is  of  gi'eat  importance  to  be  attend- 
ed to,  as  the  external  temperature  in  general  averages  much  lower 
than  50°  in  the  autumn  quarter  of  the  year,  while  it  seldom  rises  for 
more  than  a  few  days  together  to  the  higher  figure,  and  then  only  for 
a  few  hours  during  the  day.  Where  top- 
feeding  is  judiciously  managed,  bees  may  con- 
tinue to  be  fed  to  a  late  period  in  the  year, 
and,  of  course,  proportionably  early  in  the 
spring.  I  must,  however,  here  caution  the 
reader  again  to  be  very  careful  at  this  season, 
to  open  the  top  hole  as  seldom  as  possible,  and 
then  only  in  the  warmest  weather,  except  in  ■ 
cases  of  urgent  necessity,  (or  where  a  current 
of  air  is  carefully  prevented,)  as  any  escape  of 
heat  at  this  critical  time  is  extremely  injurious, 
when  the  development  of  brood  should  by  all 
means  be  encouraged ;  and  be  it  remembered, 
an  internal  heat  of  70o  has  been  considered 
necessary  by  the  highest  authorities  to  the 
hatching  of  eggs  and  the  perfection  of  brood. 
I  make  use  of  two  sorts  of  feeders,  both  of 
them  constructed  of  zinc,t  which,  for  many 

reasons,  is  greatly  to  be  preferred  to  wood,  except  perhaps  the  very 
hardest  kinds.  The  one  pan  is  adapted  to  use,  (for  copious  feeding,) 
in  tvarm  weather^  when  the  bees  wiU  empty  it  sometimes  twice  a-day 
(according  to  the  quaUty  of  the  food) ;  its  shape  and  dimensions  are 
as  follows : — It  is  a  circular  trdligh  or  pan,  from  six  to  seven  inches 


*  Nay,  at  tke  moment  I  write,  February  27th,  -vrith  the  external  temperature  at  3'2o,  the 
bees  are  very  greedily  at  ■work  in  one  of  my  bee-glass  feeders,  (covered  by  a  thick  woollen 
Eock  doubled,)  -while  not  one  has  yet  ventured  forth,  and  there  is  not  even  a  sign  of  activity 
in  any  other  part  of  the  hive.  The  internal  temperature  of  this  hive,  however,  is  undoubt- 
edly much  higher  in  the  centre,  than  it  would  otherwise  have  been. 

t  The  objection  to  zinc,  on  the  ground  that  in  very  cold  weather  it  endangers  the  lives 
of  the  few  bees  who  chance  to  be  tempted  up  into  it,  is,  I  think,  unworthy  of  attention. 
The  insects  are  generally  careful  enough  not  to  venture  their  lives  in  this  manner  ;  and  if 
they  should,  the  bee  master  has  but  to  close  the  communication  with  the  hive,  at  once  to 
remedy  the  evil. 


98  THE  COTTAGE  AND  FARM  BEK  KEEPER. 

in  diameter,  and  two  inches  in  depth.*     In  the  centre  of  its  bottom  is 
cut  a  hole  two  or  three  inches  in  diameter,  into  which  is  soldered  a 
tube,  or  cyUnder,  of  the  same  metal,  ascending  one  and  a  half  inch  into 
the  pan,  to  whose  inner  side  is  accurately  fitted  a  cylinder  of  leather, 
wood,  or  pasteboard,  to  faciUtate  the  bees'  ascent  into  the  feeder ;  this 
they  will  themselves  securely  fasten  in  its  place  by  means  of  propolis. 
The  under  side  of  the  pan  should  be  perfectly  flat  and  level,  so  as  to 
slip  easily  on  and  off  the  hole,  whenever  it  may  be  desirable  to  close 
the  communication  between  it  and  the  hive.    For  tliis  purpose,  it  will 
be  convenient  also  to  have  a  small  cap  fitting  nicely  over  the  tube  of 
ascent.     There  must  also  be  fitted  against  the  side  of  the  pan,  exter- 
nally, a  funnel-Uke  piece  of  zinc,   in    shape  somewhat  resembhng  a 
jug  spout,  by  which  the  .liquid  food  suppUed  may  be  poured  from  time 
to  time.     Of  course,  thei-e  must  be  some  small  holes  punched  in  the 
side  of  the  feeder  against  which  it  is  soldered,  to  allow  the  liquid  to 
run  through.     A  pane  of  glass  fits  over  the  whole,  through  which  the 
proceedings  of  the  industrious  insects  may  be  watched  at  leisure.   This 
pane  ought  to  fit  exactly  on  the  edge  of  the  feeder,  to  allow  of  as  Uttle 
escape  of  air  as  possible.    Lastly,  there  must  be  constructed  a  float  of 
some  hard  wood,t  having  a  hole  in  the  centre  to  admit  the  ascending 
tube,  so  accurately  made,  that  wliile  it  rises  and  falls  easily  with  the 
liquid  beneath  it,  it  is  not  so  small  in  diameter  as  to  allow  of  any 
bees  being  drowned  between  it  and  the  walls  of  the  feeder.      The 
thickness  of  the  float  may  be  about  a  quarter  of  an  inch.     To  prevent 
it  sticking  to  the  bottom,  three  or  four  brads  must  be  passed  through 
it,  here  and  there ;  these  will  elevate  it  about  a  quarter  of  an  inch 
above  the  bottom.     It  is  of  little  consequence  if  the  bees  can  get 
under  it ;  indeed  they  may  be  encouraged  to  do  so,  as  they  will  often 
save  the  apiator  the  trouble  of  cleansing  the  feeder;    while  a  little 
care  in  replenishing  it,  will  avoid  all  danger  of  drowning  any  that 
may  have   crept  beneath  it.     To  facihtate  their  speedy  escape,  the 


*  The  greater  the  diameter,  the  less  may  be  its  depth,  which  is  perhaps  an  advantage,  as 
saving  the  bees  some  trouble  of  ascent. 

t  I  lay  great  stress  upon  the  careful  avoiding  of  deal  in  any  shape  as  a  vehicle  for  sup- 
plying food  to  bees,  as  I  have  found  it  has  a  tendency  to  turn  it  sour,  especially  if  beer  is 
an  ingredient  in  its  composition,  but  even  where  honey  has  been  given  to  the  bees  with  a 
deal  float,  I  have  found  it  generate  an  acid — not  o'nly  so,  it  seems  to  give  a  peculiar  flavor  to 
the  liquid,  which  renders  it  after  a  time  unpalatable  to  the  bees. 


THE    COTTAGE    AND    FARM    BEE    KEEPER.  99 

holes  which  are  made  in  this  float  may  be  three  eighths  of  an  uich 
broad,  and  extending  within  half  an  inch  of  the  sides  either  way.  I 
have  found  it  useful  to  apply  two  or  three  broad  gutta-percha  or 
India-rubber  bauds  to  the  outside  of  the  ascending  tube,  which  is  a 
great  assistance  to  the  bees  in  finding  their  way  back  again  into  the 
hive. 

My  autumn  or  winter  feeder  is  exactly  the  same  as  the  one  just 
described  in  all  respects,  save  only  that  the  ascending  tube  does  not 
exceed  half  an  inch  in  height,  or  even  less,  by  which  means  the  bees 
can  get  in  and  out  of  the  feeder  with  the  least  possible  trouble 
and  danger  to  themselves.  Of  course  the  depth  of  the  feeder  may  be 
proportioned  to  the  height  of  the  tube  of  ascent,  taking  care  to  allow 
half  an  inch  at  hast  between  the  glass  and  the  tube. 

If  a  feeder  of  this  sort  be  well  placed  over  a  hole  communicating 
with  the  most  frequented  part  of  the  hive,  the  heat  which  rises  from 
the  interior  wiU  make  its  temperature  very  agreeable  to  the  bees, 
even  in  cool  weather ;  in  this  case,  however,  it  ought  to  be  well  cov- 
ered up  with  flannel,  to  aUow  of  as  Uttle  escape  of  heat  as  possible. 
For  spring  feeding,  especially,  it  would  be  extremely  advantageous  to 
place  a  bee  glass,  (straight  or  perpendicular  at  the  sides,)  in  the  feed- 
er, fitting  so  closely  against  its  sides  that  the  floats  shall  rise  and  fall 
within  it  easily.  In  this  way,  (supposing  the  glass  had  a  warm  cap 
over  it,)  even  spring  feeding  would  lose  all  its  dangerous  concomi- 
tants, as  there  would  be  httle  or  no  escape  of  bent  from  the  hive 
below. 

In  the  large  feeder,  about  a  pound  and  a  half  or  two  pounds  of  food 
may  be  given  at  a  time,  without  danger  of  its  pouring  down  the  cen- 
tre shaft  into  the  hive ;  while  the  smaller  will  aiford  them  as  much  as 
they  are  Ukely  ever  to  want  in  any  single  day,  in  cooler  weather.  I 
can  confidently  recommend  these  feeders  to  general  notice,  both  on 
the  ground  of  economy  and  usefulness.  Their  cost  is  trifling,  and 
their  management  perfectly  safe  and  easy. 

While  I  give  directions  for  the  make  of  a  winter  feeder,  I  wish  it  to 
be  understood  that  I  by  no  means  recommend  winter  feeding,  except 
in  cases  of  extreme  necessity.  Indeed,  I  beUeve  most  bee  writers  name 
too  late  a  period  for  supplying  the  deficiency  of  a  hive's  weight,  when 
they  mention  October  as  the  most  suitable  feeding  time.  I  would  say, 
feed  in  August  or  September,  or  soon   after  the  final  deprivation  has 


100         THE  COTTAGE  AND  FARM  BEE  KEEPER. 

taken  place  for  the  year ;  that  is,  as  soon  as  the  bees  have  ceased  to 
increase  their  stores,  or  the  queen's  autumn  laying  of  eggs  has  evident- 
ly relaxed  ;  and  for  this  reason — while  the  weather  is  warm,  and  the 
bees  therefore  are  more  actively  disposed,  the  process  of  feeding  will 
be  the  sooner  over,  because  of  the  more  eager  consumption  of  food  on 
the  bees'  part ;  besides  it  will  avoid  the  danger  of  weakening  the  stock, 
which  so  often  takes  place  in  cooler  weather,  later  in  the  season, 
owing  to  the  bees  being  induced  to  quit  the  hive,  in  vain  search  for  food 
— and  they  will  leave  their  hive  under  such  circumstances,  how  often 
never  to  return !  Not  only  so,  the  earlier  artificial  food  is  supplied,  of 
course,  the  more  honey  will  survive  the  winter  consumption  for  the 
spring  use  of  the  young  bees,  and  the  earher  and  larger  will  be  the 
bee  master's  spoil  another  year. 

The  best  food  undoubtedly  is  honey;  but  they  will  thrive,  (I  believe 
my  experience  will  warrant  me  in  saying,)  equally  well  on  various 
kinds  of  artificial  food,  in  which,  however,  honey  ought  to  form  no  in- 
considerable ingredient.  As  a  rule,  I  should  say,  feed  with  honey 
slightly  diluted  in  spring,  and  with  prepared  food  in  autumn.  I  can 
recommend  the  following  compound  as  being  both  economical,  and 
certainly  very  agreeable  to  the  bees — witness  my  having  reared  one 
stock  upon  nothing  else  through  the  winter  of  1849,  and  two  stocks, 
(at  least  till  the  middle  of  March — the  time  of  going  to  press,)  through 
the  winter  of  1850.  The  recipe  for  making  it  as  foUows  : — To  a  quart 
of  wholesome  table  beer,  (neither  too  fresh  nor  too  old,)  add  three 
pounds  of  Barbados  sugar,  or,  (better  still,)  coarse  loaf  sugar,  a  glass  of 
sherry,*  one  and  a  half  or  two  pounds  of  cheap  honey,  and  a  teaspoon- 
ful  of  salt;  the  whole  having  been  mixed  together,  and  boiled  for  five 
minutes,  will  make  about  half  a  gallon  of  food,  with  the  addition  of  a 
little  water,  which  the  bees  wiU  devour  with  ready  gusto.  The  sher- 
ry, I  doubt  not,  acts  as  a  beneficial  stimulus  to  the  bees  ;  and  it 'cer- 
tainly much  improves  the  flavor  of  the  liquid,  although  it  also  some- 
what materially  increases  the  expense. 

Mr.  Payne  and  Mr.  Taylor  both  urgently  recommend  barley  sugar, 
as  useful  food  for  bees.  It  is,  however,  troublesome  to  make,  and  is, 
further,  almost,  if  not  quite,  as  expensive  as  honey  itself.  Moreover, 
it  requires  the  presence  of  a  certain  degree  of  heat  or  damp  to  assist 

*  This  may  be  omitted  if  thought  necessary. 


THE  COTTAGE  AND  FARM  BEE  KEEPER.         101 

the  bees  in  converting  it  into  a  liquid,  not  to  speak,  of  the  length  of  time 
which  is  taken  up  in  the  process  of  consumption.  I  must  also  confess, 
it  appears  to  me  somewhat  a  work  of  supererogation,  to  turn  a  fluid 
into  a  sohd,  for  the  purpose  of  feeding  insects  who  must  reconvert  it 
into  a  fluid  before  it  can  be  of  any  possible  use  to  them.  It  is  well, 
nevertheless,  to  know,  in  case  of  emergency,  (as  when  the  bee 
master  must  be  unavoidably  absent.)  that  a  side  box  filled  with  barley 
sugar  will  save  his  impoverished  hive  from  all  danger  of  starvation. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

OF  CERTAIN  INSTRUMENTS,  EITHER  USEFUL  OR  NECESSARY  TO 
BEE   MANAGEMENT. 

Besides  the  different  articles  of  use  in  the  management  of  an  apiary, 
described  in  the  early  part  of  this  volume,  or  in  the  course  of  the  work, 
there  are  one  or  two  instruments  which  I  should  wish  to  recommend 
to  the  reader's  notice  before  I  conclude. 

Instead  of  the  zinc  shdes,  which  command  the  entrance  way  spoken 
of  in  the  last  two  chapters,  of  which  some  will  have  to  be  plain,  and 
others  perforated  with  holes,  a  plate  similar  to  that  described  by  Mr. 
Taylor,  (see  his  "Bee  Keeper's  Manual,"  page  75,  fourth  edition,)  will 
be  found  very  useful.  To  quote  his  words — it  is  "  a  square  sheet  of 
well-flattened  tin,  zinc,  or  copper,  of  four  equal  sides,  made  to  shp 

down  in  the  grooves Each  side  of  the  square  gives  an  altered 

mouth  to  the  paviUon  at  pleasure,  according  as  it  is  turned,  being  cut 
with  various-sized  apertures ;  and  one  entirely  closed  except  the  per- 
forations for  ventilation."  Of  these  plates,  (which  will  be  attached  to 
the  entrance  Uochs,)  one  will  suffice  for  each  colony,  besides  the  com- 
plement of  other  slides  in  the  hive  hoards. 

A  hee  dress,  to  which  I  have  alluded  before,  is  an  indispensable  arti- 
cle of  bee  furniture,  i' Security  from  attack,"  says  Mr.  Taylor,  "is 
essential  to  self-possession ;"  "  the  first  thing  therefore  that  should  be 
procured  by  the  amateur,  is  a  bee  dress ;  a  simple  covering  of  hght 
canvass,  or  strong  gauze,  (green  is  the  best  color  for  comfort,)  of  .the 
kind  called  kno,  with  or  without  sleeves,  but  securing  the  whole  head 
effectually,  will  answer  the  purpose  sufficiently  well* 

No  apiary  should  be  without  a  long  spatula,  and  a  set  of  hee  knives, 

*  Mr.  Taylor  has  given  a  sketch  of  a  very  advantageous  form  at  page  176. 


THE  COTTAGE  AND  FARM  BEE  KEEPER. 


103 


each  of  "wliich  will  greatly  facilitate  the  processes  of  comb  renewal, 
extraction  of  brood  cells,  and  excision  of  the  cradles  of  royalty ;  not 
to  speak  of  their  use  at  the  time  of  the 
honey  harvest.  These  may  be  of  two 
kinds  if  thought  necessary;  of  which  the 
one  is  in  shajie  hke  a  cheese  knife.  The 
other,  (and  the  most  useful,)  is  a  piece  of 
metal,  say  a  foot  long  exclusive  of  the  handle,  not  thicker  of  necessity 
than  a  goose  quill,  but  having  a  kind  of  thin  blade  at  the  end,  turned 
at  right  angles  to  the  staff,  and  sufficiently  flat  and  sharp  to  cut  through 
the  combs  without  bruising  or  hreakiitg  them.  It  must  be  pushed  in 
between  the  combs,  pressed  firmly  against  the  roof  of  the  liive,  and 
twisted  round  ;  this  will  bring  the  blade  in  contact  with  the  combs  on 
one  side  or  the  other,  according  to  the  intention  of  the  operator. 

An  instrument  of  very  great  importance  to  a  large  out-door  apiary 
I  have  had  constructed  for  my  own  use,  and  I  can  confidently  recom- 
mend it  to  the  practical  apiarian.  It  is  a  tveighing  machine,  and  it 
consists  of  three  poles  of  stout  wood,  equal  in  length,  and  seven  feet 
high,  fastened  by  hinges  to  a  triangular  block  of  wood  four  or  five 
inches  thick.     The  sides  of  the  triangle  may  be  severally  six  inches 


wide.  The  poles  must  have  spikes  at  the  other  end,  to  keep  them 
immovably  fixed  in  the  ground.  This  tripod,  (if  I  may  so  call  it,)  is  so 
contrived — the  legs  closing  together — that,  when  not  wanted,  it 
can  be  easily  stowed  away ;  at  the  same  time  that  it  is  readily  re- 
moved from  one  hive  to  another.  To  the  under  side  of  the  trian- 
gular block  is  fastened  a  pulley  wheel  attached  to  a  screw,  which 


104 


THE  COTTAGE  AND  FARM  BEE  KEEPER, 


penetrates  the  centre  of  the  block.  Over  this  wheel  a  cord 
passea,  one  end  of  -which  is  held  by  the  hand,  while  to  the  other 
end   is   fastened  a   spring    balance,    with   a    hook    attached  to    it. 

Three  strings  tied  together  at  one 
end,  each  with  a  hook  at  the  other 
end,  to  catch  three  eye  screws  fixed  at 
equal  distances  in  the  hive  boards, 
(which  of  course  must  be  detached 
from  the  pedestals,)  are  suspended  to 
the  balance  in  such  a  manner  that 
the  apiator,  on  pulUng  the  cord,  will 
at  once  haul  up  the  hive  in  a  straight 
line.  An  insti'ument  of  this  kind,  it 
is  evident,  must  greatly  facihtate  the 
process  of  weighing  garden  hives, 
which  may  be  repeated  as  often  as 
desirable,  without  the  least  trouble. 
I  have  frequently  used  this  machine 
in  summer  time,  when  the  bees  were 
in  their  highest  state  of  activity,  with- 
out at  all  disturbing  them ;  they  fly 
in  and  out,  and  show  no  signs  of  an- 
noyance whatever.  As  it  requires 
more  exertion  of  force  to  haul  up  a  heavy  hive,  I  would  recommend 
the  use  of  a  set  of  pulleys  suspended  from  the  centre  of  the  triangular 
block ;  these  will  materially  facilitate  the  process  of  weighing. 


CONCLUSION. 

And  now  that  I  have  dravfn  the  practical  part  of  my  work  to  a  con-, 
elusion,  let  me  wind  up  my  labors  by  wishing  the  candid  reader  as 
much  success  in  the  scientific  management  of  his  bees  as  has  attended 
and  I  am  persuaded  will  yet  attend,  the  pains  which  I  do  not  grudge 
to  bestow  on  the  study  of  these  admirable  creatures.  And  while  I 
wish  him  success,  I  do  more;  for  in  this  is  included  the  pure  pleasure 
and  the  serene  enjoyment  which  must  be  experienced  in  no  small  de- 
•gi-ee  while  giving  a  close  attention  to  the  habits  and  history  of  perhaps 


THE  COTTAGE  AND  FARM  BEE  KEEPER.  105 

the  most  intelligent,  the  most  provident,  and  the  Avisest  of  all  the 
creatures,  inferior  to  man,  wherewith  the  good  Providence  of  God  has 
peopled  and  adorned  this  lower  world.  If  the  wisest  of  men  pointed 
a  proverb,  by  drawing  the  ant  from  her  seclusion ;  no  less  does  the  hee 
merit  attention  as  an  example  of  industry,  patience,  sobriety,  and  loy- 
alty. Let  whosoever  is  awake  to  the  voice  of  the  Creator,  speaking 
tlu-ough  the  works  of  His  hands,  observe,  reverence,  and  obey. 


APPENDIX. 


(A— Page  9.) 

On  the  subject  of  the  preference  of  bees  for  cool  places,  De  Gelieu,  the  celebrated  Swiss 
apiarian,  writes  as  follows  : — "It  is  commonly  believed  that  an  apiary  is  not  well  situated 
unless  it  stands  in  the  sun.  This  is  an  error ;  bees  like  the  shade  when  working,  and  like 
the  sun  only  when  in  the  fields,  which  then  animates  and  sustains  them  ....  They 
thrive  well  in  thick  forests,  and  delight  in  them,  because  tliere  they  find  a  uniform  temper- 
ature and  a  propitious  shade  ....  It  is  a  mistake  to  suppose  that  hives,  exposed  to  the 
sun  produce  the  earliest  and  the  strongest  swarms  ;  I  have  oftener  than  once  experienced 
the  reverse.  My  earliest  swarms  have  generally  come  from  the  best-shaded  hives,  and 
which  only  receive  the  sun  late."  This  testimony,  coming  from  an  apiarian  of  so  much 
practical  acquaintance  with  bee-keeping,  gained  during  the  experience  of  sixty  years,  is 
most  valuable.  Strange  that  it  should  have  been  so  little  acted  upon,  seeing  the  estimation 
in  which  Gelieu's  work  is  justly  held  among  us  ;  but  it  requires  no  little  judgment  to  select 
a  favorable  situation,  in  a  northern  aspect,  for  locating  bee  hives.  The  place  chosen  must 
be  snug  and  sheltered.  The  hives  must  be  protected  from  high  winds  ;  and  especially  from 
sudden  gusts,  or  continued  currents  of  air.  These  will  often  destroy  hundreds  of  boes 
in  a  few  minutes,  especially  during  squally  weather,  in  March  and  April.  The  bees  are 
now  anxious  to  avail  themselves  of  every  gleam  of  sun  light ;  but  if  a  sudden  storm  cornea 
on,  with  wind,  they  soon  get  fatigued,  and  on  returning  home  not  a  few  fall  powerless  to  the 
ground,  never  to  ri.se  save  where  the  sun  shines  upon  and  revives  them.  Hence,  in  windy 
weather,  my  bees  are  kept  close  prisoners  till  May  at  least. 

I  may  mention  here,  that  when  looking  out  last  autumn,  (1850,)  for  a  suitable  place  where 
to  bestow  two  experimental  or  artificial  stocks,  belonging  to  an  apiarian  friend,  we  fixed 
upon  a  hay-loft  window,  directly  facing  the  north,  which  looked  down  upon  m  yard 
well  protected  by  tall  trees  on  every  side.  One  of  these  hives,  composed  of  two  families 
united,  regularly  fed  on  artificial  food,  and  this  alone  weighed  upwards  of  20  lbs.  of  con- 
tents on  the  '2Sth  of  November — three  months  after  its  establishment.  The  other,  consist- 
ing of  but  one  family  of  preserved  bees,  driven  from  a  strong  stock,  which  had  swarmed  in 
the  spring,  weighed  half  this  weight  at  the  same  time.  Both  these  hives  are  now,  (March 
20th,)  in  the  very  best  health.  The  second  stock  was  observed  to  carry  pollen  as  late  as  the 
4th  of  December  ;  v/hioh  I  make  no  doubt  the  other  also  did.  I  am  not  aware,  from  my 
own  observation  of  these  hives,  and  the  information  I  have  besides  obtained  respecting 
them,  that  they  have  been  less  disposed  to  move  than  other  bees  located  full  in  the  sun, 
save  only  in  the  latter  end  of  winter,  which  is  decidedly  an  advantage.  Even  on  dark 
days,  (when  the  weather  was  mild,)  they  came  forth  with  the  same  alacrity  as  other  bees. 


108  APPENDIX. 

(B— Page  19.) 

I  HAVE  been  curious  to  see  -what  the  best  authorities  have  advised  on  the  subject  of  the  pro- 
per dimensions  of  bee  hives.  As  the  result  of  my  investigation  may  not  prove  uninterest- 
ing to  many  who  have  not  the  opportunity  of  referring  to  those  writers,  I  do  not  scruple, 
even  at  the  hazard  of  prolixity,  to  entertain  the  reader  with  it. 

In  favor  of  large  hives  on  the  single-hiving  or  swarming  system,  I  find  an  array  of 
weighty  names,  such  as  those  of  Butler,*  Sir  J.  More,t  T.  Wildman,?  Keys,||  De  Gelieu,§ 
and  Bonner,ir  among  the  bee  masters  of  more  ancient  times  ;  nor  are  there  wanting  among 
the  moderns  several,  I  may  say  9nany,  stout  advocates  for  the  use  of  large  hives.  .  .  .  On  the 
other  side  are  to  be  found  no  old-established  names  that  I  have  become  acquainted  with. 
The  earliest  advocate  I  know  for  small  hives  on  the  single  system  is  Dr.  Sevan,  (a  great 
authority  certainly  inmost  bee  matters,)  in  whose  train  follow  a  host  of  supporters  well 
and  favorably  known  to  the  m.odern  apiarian  world,  including  Mr.  Gelding,  Mr.  Payne, 
Mr.  Taylor,  and  others  ;  all  of  whom,  however,  are,  from  acknowledged  experience,  better 
versed  in  the  details  of  storification  or  collateral  than  of  single  hiving.  None  of  these  recom- 
mend a  size  larger  than  thirteen  and  a  half  inches  in  diameter  by  nine  inches  high. 

From  what  has  been  written  above,  it  will  appear  that  most  English  apiarians  of  the 


*  "  Hives  are  to  be  made  of  any  size  between  five  and  seven  gallons,  that  any  swarm,  of 
what  quantity  or  time  soever,  may  be  fitly  hived.  The  middling  size  of  three  pecks  is  most 
profitable.'' — Butler's  Feminine  Monarchie.     Oxford,  1634, 

t  "  Your  hive  must  be  of  any  size  between  five  and  seven  gallons,  that  any  swarm,  of 
what  quantity  or  time  soever,  may  be  fitly  hived." — Sir  J.  More's  EnglanWs  Interest. 
Fourth  ed.,  London,  1707.  It  appears  that  More  copied  from  Butler,  or  both  from  some 
third  source. 

t  Wildman,  as  is  well  known,  was  an  advocate  of  the  double  hiving,  (I  will  not  say, 
storifying,)  System,  and  recommends  a  small-sized  hive  ;  yet  I  quote  him  here  as  authority 
in  favor  of  large  hives,  on  the  single  hiving  principle,  because  it  is  evident  that  there  is 
no  real  difierence  whatever  between  one  large  hive  and  two  smaller  ones  affording  the  same 
room,  where  these  are  put  together  almost  immediately,  and  the  second  nadired,  that  is, 
put  under  the  first.  Where  hives  are  fupered,  (which  alone  is  properly  termed  s^orfy^/jng'.) 
the  queen  is  confined  to  the  lower  hive  (in  nine  cases  in  ten)  ;  but  where  they  are  nadired, 
not  only  does  she  fill  the  upper  hive  with  eggs,  but,  as  comb  is  built  below,  she  also  occu- 
pies and  breeds  in  the  lower  box  ;  and  the  sole  object  I  have  in  view  in  recommending  the 
use  of  large  hives,  is  to  encourage  the  queen's  breeding  for  a  longer  time  than  usual. 

II  Although  Keys  is  a  decided  advocate  of  storifying,  (proper,)  I  find  the  following  re- 
mark in  his  Treatise  (a  new  edition,  London,  1814  :) — ''  I  think,  in  the  single  method,  no 
hive  should  be  less  than  three  pecks,  or  perhaps  a  bushel,  but  not  more  than  twelve  inches 
in  height." 

§  De  Gelieu  says  nothing  certain  as  to  the  size  of  hives,  but,  speaking  of  their  shapei 
he  has  some  observations  which  lead  me,  I  think  justly,  to  include  him  in  the  above  list. 
"  I  have  invariably  remarked,"  he  says,  "  that  bees  thrive  better  in  low  hives  than  in  high 
ones  ;  that,  in  general,  those  which  are  broad  and  fiat,  or  extended  horizontally,  amass 
more  honey,  thrive  better,  and  give  out  stronger  and  earlier  swarms  than  those  which  are 
\\\gh.3A\Aojf  several  stories."  Among  the  reasons  which  he  gives  for  this  opinion,  is  the 
following  weighty  one,  of  which  i  most  cordially  approve  : — ''A  hive  thrives  ONLY  in  pro- 
portion to  the  success  or  perfection  of  its  brood  cojib,"  which,  he  argues,  must  be  gene- 
rally defective  in  other  than  "  low.  fiat  hives,  (of  course,  single  hives  and  /org's  ones,)  in 
which  the  heat  is  more  easily  concentrated." 

IT  "  As  to  the  size,  a  hive  that  will  hold  about  two  and  a  half  pecks,  Linlithgow  measure, 
win  hold  a  pretty  large  swarm;  but  there  is  no  certain  rule  to  judge  what  hive  will  be 
exactly  filled  by  a  swarm.  Much  depends  upon  the  succeeding  season.  If  the  swarm  be 
early  and  large,  it  will  require  a  large  hive ;  but,  if  otherwise,  the  hive  should  be  pro- 
portionably  less." — A  New  Plan,  &o.  Edin.,  1795. 


APPENDIX.  109 

present  day,  inchidiug  all  ihe  stmifycrs,  (properly  so  called,^  favor  the  use  of  small  hives. 
On  the  Continent,  however,  large  hives  are  still  in  vogue ;  and  if  we  want  to  see  the  pro- 
fitable management  of  bees  on  a  large  scale,  it  is  thither  we  must  go — to  the  eastern  coun- 
tries of  Europe  more  especially,  where  bee-keeping  is  as  important  a  branch  of  rural  econ- 
omy as  sheep-walking  or  grazing  cattle  is  with  us. 

The  attention  of  English  apiarians  has  lately  been  drawn  to  the  bee  practice  of  these 
countries,  by  the  work  of  a  Pole,  which  issued  from  the  press  not  a  year  ago.  Mr.  Dobio- 
gost  describes  the  hive  of  his  country  as  being  three  and  a  half  to  Jive  feet  in  height, 
about  eight  inches  in  diameter  at  top,  increasing-  downwards  gradually  to  twenty  .non^s  or 
more  at  bottom,  all  inside  measure .'  This  is  indeed  a  large  hive,  which  our  skeptics  v  ill 
attribute  to  the  invention  of  gentlemen  of  the  long  bow,  from  their  utter  ignorance  of  api- 
arian lore.  It  is  a  fact,  however,  that  such  are  the  dimensions  of  the  hives  commonly  in. 
use  in  Poland  ;  and  it  is  also  a  fact,  that  large  as  they  are.  they  yet  contrive  to  swarm  with 
as  much  regularity  as  the  hives  in  use  among  us,  while  the  parent  stock  remains  vigorous 
notwithstanding,  for  many  years  together.  Mr.  Dobiogost  assures  us  that  an  apiary,  con- 
taining a  hundred  stocks  of  this  size,  will  throw  off  about  150  swarms  every  spring,  each  of 
such  formidable  power,  that  it  resembles  a  small  cloud,  when  hovering  in  the  air.  It  seems 
to  us  almost  incredible,  that  hives  of  such  dimensions  should  throw  off  any  swarms  at  all. 
In  opposition  to  the  general  belief  among  us,  the  author  seems  to  attribute  this  circumstance 
to  the  fact,  that,  on  the  first  establishment  ofthe.se  stocks,  four  times  as  many  bees  are  put 
into  them  as  we  are  in  the  habit  of  hiving  together. 

Such  are  the  plain  facts  alleged  by  Mr.  Dobiogost  in  respect  to  Polish  practice  ;  now  let 
us  look  into  the  reasons  of  them.  I  find  that  Dr.  Sevan  scouts  the  idea  altogether,  that 
strength  in  one  year  begets  strength  in  another,  at  least  in  any  reasonable  proportion  ;  and 
he  has  brought  forward  the  result  of  some  very  interesting  experiments  in  proof, -wliich  I 
once  thought  conclusive.  Indeed,  I  still  think  that  he  is  quite  right  in  tlie  inference  he 
draws  from  them,*  when  speaking  oi  English  hives,  and  our  general  mode  of  bee  man- 
agement, seeing  that  he  has,  I  think,  very  satisfactorily  proved  that  bee  life  does  not  extend 
itself  in  general  beyond  six  or  seven  months  at  the  outside  ;  for,  according  to  his  showing, 
every  bee  born  before  the  middle  of  July  perishes  soon  after,  if  not  before,  the  middle  of  the 
following  January.  I  say,  he  is  right,  when  speaking  of  our,  that  is,  the  small-hive  sys- 
tem of  bee  management,  because,  in  such  hives,  be  they  single  or  storified,  (observe,  I  do 
not  include  nadiring,)  the  queen  bee  is  seldom  able  to  lay  above  a  dozen  eggs  a-day,  if  so 
many,  in  the  height  of  the  honey-gathering  season,  owing  to  the  bees  seizing  every  cell,  as 
soon  as  it  becomes  vacant  by  the  exclusion  of  brood,  as  a  receptacle  for  honey.  This  is  the 
history  of  the  wide  gap  which  most  apiarians,  from  Huber  downwards,  have  observed  be- 
tween the  spring  and  autumn  laying  of  the  queen  bee.  It  is  not  that  she  is  unable  or  in- 
disposed to  lay,  but  that  she  has  no  room  in  ivhich  to  put  her  eggs.  Dr.  Sevan  tells  us 
that  there  are  two  distinct  layings  of  the  queen  ;  one,  which  he  calls  the  "  great  laying,''^ 
taking  place  in  the  spring  ;  and  a  second,  a  lesser  one.  in  the  autumn  ;  that  is,  in  the  month 
of  August,  sooner  or  later,  according  to  circumstances.  In  other  words,  he  gives  us  to  un- 
derstand that  there  is  an  interval  between  the  spring  and  autumn  layings  of  the  queen,  in 
which  but  comparatively  few  eggs  are  laid.    If  by  this  he  means  that  there  is  a  considcra- 


*  Namely,  That  however  strong  the  population  of  a  hive  may  be  in  one  year,  that 
strength  will  in  no  wise  influence  the  prosperity  of  the  same  stock  the  following  season  ; 
because  how  many  soever  the  swarms  that  may  have  been  introduced  into  one  and  the 
same  hive  in  any  particular  year,  they  '-will  ail  have  paid  the  debt  of  nature  before  its 
expiration." 


110  APPENDIX. 

ble  suspension  in  the  development  of  brood  in  this  tiiae,  there  cannot  be  a  doubt  about  it, 
ivhere  the  hive  is  circumscribed  (whether  sideways  or  downwards) ;  but  if  he  would  have 
us  believe  that  the  (jueen  so  relaxes  in  her  laying  of  eggs,  as  almost  to  discontinue  them 
towards  the  latter  part  of  June,  and  the  most  part  of  July,  I  think  he  is  mistaken.  The 
queen,  I  believe,  finds  no  sudden  disinclination  to  perform  the  office  of  a  mother;  it  is  a 
gradual  process  on  her  part;  she  continues  to  lay,  during  that  period,  with  undiminishing 
energy  perhaps  as  the  season  advances,  and  certainly  with  greater  good  will  and  capability 
than  in  August  and  September.  The  truth,  however,  is,  that,  lay  as  actively  as  she  may, 
she  is  unable  to  deposit  her  eggs  in  cells,  owing  to  want  of  room.  Every  cell  is,  at  this 
season,  required  for  storing  honey  ;  therefore,  if  she  does  not  swarm,  (in  which  case  she  at 
once  effectively  resumes  iier  office,  and  as  fast  and  so  long  as  comb  is  built  downwards, 
she  fills  every  available  cell  with  brood,*)  she  lays  her  eggs  at  random,  and  there  is  what  is 
called  a  cessation  or  a  relaxation  in  her  laying ;  that  is,  a  perceptible  diminution  in  the 
quantity  of  brood  comb,  and  bees  hatched,  until  honey  begins  to  come  in  more  sparingly, 
■when  the  cells  again  become  empty,  and  the  queen  resumes  her  comfortable  deposit  of  eggs 
in  them.  This  I  believe  to  be  the  course  with  all  small  hives  m  general.  It  does  not  mend 
the  matter  to  supply  room  above  ;  for,  where  the  bees  begin  their  works  from  the  roof  of 
the  store  room  downwards,  the  queen  very  rarely  ascends,  as  she  is  loth  to  quit  her  hold  of 
comb,  and  there  is  none  to  connect  the  new  with  the  old  works,  so  as  to  tempt  her  up,  if 
she  were  disposed  to  come.  And  again,  where  the  bees  work  upwards,  as  they  often  do, 
the  comb  is  occupied  with  honey  as  fast  as  it  is  constructed,  because  it  is  an  instinct  of  the 
bees  to  store  their  food  high  up  in  the  hive  ;  for  which  reason,  as  a  saving  of  labor  and  ma- 
terial, they  usually  build  drone  comb.  Not  only  so  ;  the  queen,  equally  obeying  an  instinct 
of  her  own,  prefers  to  remain  as  near  the  hive  entrance  ;  that  is,  as  low  down,  as  possible, 
whence  she  loses  the  opportunity,  if  opportunity  there  be, which  may  happen  to  be  afforded  her. 
Often  have  I  observed  a  queen  bee,  about  the  middle  of  June,  when  every  comb  was  more 
or  less  filled  with  honey  or  brood,  after  perambulating  the  hive,  stand  on  the  edge  of  a  comb, 
and  lay  egg  after  egg,  which  were  devoured  by  bees  as  fast  as  they  issued  from  her  body 
Now  will  anybody  assert,  that,  if  the  queen  had  had  plenty  of  empty  comb  in  which  to  de- 
posit these  eggs,  during  the  next  six  weeks,  strength  of  population  in  one  year,  would  not 
teget  a  proportionate  strength  in  another,  especially  after  a  mild  winter,  followed  by  an 
early  spring?  Would  there  not  have  been  many  more  bees  hatched,  which  would  survive 
the  perils  and  losses  of  autumn  ;  and  increase,  therefore,  the  winter  temperature  of  the  hive, 
and  so  promote  the  earlier  breeding  in  spring  ?  It  stands  to  reason  that  there  would.  It  is 
for  this  reason,  that  an  argument  in  favor  of  large  hives  will,  I  think,  be  found  in  the  ac- 
knowledged fact,  "that  dry  seasons  produce  most  honey,  wet  ones  most  swarms."'  For 
•what  does  this  prove,  but  that  the  little  honey  collected  in  the  fields  has  enabled  the  queen 
to  deposit  more  eggs  in  the  cells,  (and  at  such  times  she  will  breed  largely  even  in  a  super.) 
so  that  the  population  has  increased  so  much  the  more  rapidly,  and  with  inconvenience  to 
the  bees  ?  on  which  account  they  seize  the  first  favorable  moment  to  be  off. 

Now  let  us  take  the  case  of  the  deep  Polish  hive  of  Mr.  Dobiogost.  The  bees  of  course 
are  huddled  close  together  near  the  top,  in  the  depth  of  winter ;  there  they  first  clear 
the  comb  of  whatever  honey  may  be  stored  in  it,  and  there  the  queen  begins  to  lay. 
The  shape  of  the  hive  near  the  top  is  admirably  suited  to  the  diminished  size  of  the 
population,  although,  I  shall  presently  show,  they  are,  in  proportion,  much  more  numerous 


*  And  she  generally  anticipates  them  here,  occupying  each  cell  with  an  egg  as  fast  as  it 
is  constructed,  before  the  bees  can  put  honey  into  it. 


APPENDIX.  Ill 

thit  any  of  our  stocks  of  bees  at  this  season.  The  concentrated  heat,*  further  husbanded 
by  the  very  solid  materials  of  the  hive,  fostt-rs,  even  in  the  cold  damp  Polish  spring,  (when 
the  snow  hills  begin  to  thaw,)  an  early  development  of  brood.  As  the  population  increases, 
a  greater  quantity  of  honey  is  cleared  away,  and  more  cells  emptied  for  the  queen's  con- 
venience. Downwards  and  sideways,  silently  but  steadily  expands  the  population,  until 
the  spring  is  fully  advanced,  at  which  time,  the  bees  of  Poland  are  in  a  ar  more  forw^ird 
state  than  ours  ;  which  are  too  often  miserably  reduced  in  numbers  before  they  begin  to 
breed.  From  this  time,  their  progress  is  rapid  indeed  ;  what  cares  the  queen  of  such  a  col- 
ony when  the  honey  season  approaches  ?  The  spoils  of  the  year,  riiied  from  a  thousand 
different  flowers,  are  first  stored  high  up  in  the  hive,  against  the  coming  winter,  while,  as 
the  cells  fill,  the  mother  bee  is  only  driven  to  a  lower  story  ;  for  there  is  plenty  of  room  ia 
the  four  or  five-foot-deep  palace,  botli  for  her  own  incommoded  laying  of  eggs,  and  the  un- 
interrupted storing  of  lioney.  The  judicious  excision  of  comb  by  the  careful  bee  master 
in  the  early  spring  is  rather  an  advantage  than  a  hindrance  to  her  ;  for  the  bees  work 
beautiful  fresh  combs,  along  the  edge  of  which  she  is  generally  to  be  found,  depositing  her 
eggs  in  the  cells  often  before  they  have  attained  their  completion,  and  certainly  before  the 
bees  have  felt  the  want  or  inclination  to  anticipate  her,  by  converting  them  into  honey 
stores.  Thus  June  passes  away,  but  brings  her  no  anxiety,  as  does  the  unhappy  English 
queen  bee  ;  it  only  leaves  her  half  way  down  her  spacious  dwelling.  July  and  August 
com.e,  and  still  there  is  no  necessary  intermission  to  her  labors,  unless,  indeed,  as  is  very 
probable,  the  population  of  the  hive  has  so  greatly  increased,  that  she  thinks  it  more  com- 
fortable to  migrate  ;  in  which  case,  ofl'  goes  the  swarm,  (as  early  perhaps  as  mid-June,) 
"so  powerful  that  it  resembles  a  little  cloud  in  the  air."  In  the  meanwhile,  a  younger 
and  more  vigorous  queen  succeeds  to  the  vacant  sovereignty,  who,  with  more  comfort  than 
her  predecessor,  at  last,  owing  to  the  diminished  heat  and  the  less  pressing  demand  for 
honey  room,  resumes  the  task  of  breeding,  and  continues  it  until  the  autumnal  cold  gradu- 
ally relaxes  her  maternal  cares,  and  drives  her  up  among  the  combs. 

The  English  bee  master  will,  I  am  aware,  object  with  me  to  the  Polish  system  of  bee- 
keeping, that  it  does  not  provide  for  any  collection  of  a  purer  kind  of  honey.  This  objec- 
tion is  a  most  solid  and  weighty  one,  as,  whatever  the  Pole  may  get  in  quantity  of  honey, 
he  certainly  loses  in  quality  ;  as  Gelieu  observes,  these  hives  "have  this  disadvantage, 
that  capes,  (or  super  hives,)  cannot  so  easily  be  fitted  to  them,  which  facilitate  the  col- 
lecting the  finest  honey."'  But  all  I  contend  for  is  this,  that  we  should  meet  this  system 
half-way,  by  adopting  large  hives  on  the  single  method,  where,  especially  according  to  my 
plan,  the  hive  is  kept  principally  for  breeding  or  swarming  purposes,  and  not  so  much  to 
make  a  honey  profit  of  it.  And  I  am  persuaded  we  should  thus  get  in  general  much  more 
powerful  swarms  for  our  spoliation  hives,  and  by  consequence,  a  much  larger  harvest  of 
honey. 

(C— Page  29.) 

BONNEB,  (to  whom,  as  a  practical,  experimental,  and  soundly-reasoning  apiarian,  I  am 
disposed  to  pay  very  great  deference,)  has  the  following  observations  on  the  winter  man- 
agement of  bees  : — 

"When  the  frost  is  severe,  or  when  the  snow  is  lying  on  the  ground,  it  will  be  necessary 

*  Even  Gelieu,  notwithstanding  his  eulogium  of  flat,  broad  hives,  seems  to  have  been 
fully  alive  to  this  important  feature  in  the  Polish  bee  domicile.  Thus  he  says,  "  it  is  per- 
haps for  this  reason  that  the  bees  thrive  well  in  conical  or  sugar-loaf-shaped  hives,  which 
are  common  in  some  countries."' 


112  Al'l'KSDlX. 

to  prevent  the  bees  trom  coining  out  of  the  hives  by  shutting  up  tlieir  entry  quite  close  wuh 
pob  tow,  which  will  keep  them  warm,  at  the  same  time  that  they  will  run  no  risk  of  suf- 
focation in  very  cold  weather.  In  extreme  cold  weather,  the  bees  may  be  taken  inti?  out- 
houses, which  will  preserve  them  from  cold.  But,  indeed,  when  the  hives  are  properly  cov- 
ered, and  the  entries  to  them  closely  shut  up,  they  will  resist  a  very  severe  cold. 

"  Many  ingenious  gentlemen  have  tried  different  methods  to  preserve  bees  in  winter. 
Somie  have  shut  them  up  in  cold  outhouses  from  September  to  April ;  others  only  from  the 
first  of  November  to  March.  A  third  class  place  grates  before  their  entries  to  admit  air, 
but  keep  the  bees  close  in  their  hives  during  the  whole  winter." 

He  then  observes,  "  that  in  general,  long  confinement  is  prejudicial  to  the  health  of  the 

bees I  have  seen   the   bees   that   have   long  been   confined   by  cold,    (perhaps 

for  ten  weeks,)  so  diseased,  that  when  good  weather  returned,  and  they  came  abroad, 
very  great  numbers  would  have  died  within  a  day  or  two  thereafter,  and  the  hive  in  general 
would  have  been  greatly  reduced.  It  is  evident  that  their  long  confinement  was  the  cause  ; 
but  it  is  also  certain,  that  even  in  those  cold  countries  where  the  winter  lasts  eight  months, 
bees  thrive  and  prosper  well  ....  I  have  known  bees  do  well,  however,  that  had  been 
confined  in  their  hives  for  five  months,  even  in  this  country  ;  while  others  of  them  were 
ready  to  perish  by  retaining  their  f^ces  for  so  so  long  a  period.'' 

Touching  the  vexed  question  of  the  superiority  of  a  mild  over  a  severe  winter,  or  the 
contrary,  he  remarks  :  "It  is  said  by  many  writers  on  this  suliject,  that  a  fine  winter  is 
dangerous  to  the  bees  ;  and  that  many  more  die  in  a  mild  than  a  cold  one.  They  argue, 
that  as  the  appetite  of  the  bees  increases  by  their  going  often  out,  they  consume  their  pro- 
visions and  die  of  famine  ;  whereas,  when  long  confined  in  their  hives,  they  hardly  eat  any. 
I  acknowledge  that  in  a  mild  winter  they  do  eat  more  food  than  in  a  cold  one  when  they 
cannot  get  out  ;  but  this,  as  well  as  the  fine  air.  conlribute's  greatly  to  their  health,  besides 
that  they  hatch  earlier,  and  consequently  increase  in  the  number  of  bees  in  the  hives 
sooner.  The  fact  is,  that  experience  may  convince  any  person  that  many  more  bees  die  in 
severe  winters  than  in  mild  ones.  In  winter  1776,  which  was  very  cold,  a  great  many  bee 
hives  perished;  and  also  during  last  winter,  (1791-9-3.)  being  an  excessively  severe  one, 
many  hives  were  destroyed  from  that  dause  alone  ;  whereas  in  winter  1779,  which  was  re- 
markably mild,  not  one  hive  in  twenty  failed  ;  and  the  bees  in  general  swarmed  a  month 
earlier  than  usual." 

(D— Page  89  ) 

I  KNOW  not  whether  for  cottagers,  Wildman"s  method  of  bee  management,  after  all,  be  not 
the  simplest  as  well  as  the  most  profitable.  He  puts  a  swarm  into  a  small-sized  hive,  (ten 
inches  broad  by  seven  deep,)narfj>-hiving  it  as  soon  as  the  bees  have  fairly  begun  to  work 
comb  in  the  super  ;  that  is,  ''  often,"  as  he  says,  "  the  following  morning.^'*  According 
to  his  plan,  the  queen  fills  the  upper  hive  first  witli  brood  as  fast  as  comb  is  constructed  ; 
and  when  every  available  cell  is  occupied  by  an  egg,  and  the  bees  have  continued  their 
works  to  the  lower  hive,  (which  will  be  towards  the  end  of  the  first  week  or  ten  days,)  the 
queen  also  descends,  and  breeds  permanently  below.  In  the  mean  while,  as  fast  as  the 
young  bees  above  are  hatched  out,  the  vacated  cells  are  filled  with  honey,  so  that  by  the 
end  of  a  month,  (three  weeks,  Wildman  says,)  no  brood  will  be  found  above  whatever,  but 
an  abundance  of  fine  honey  in  comb  but  little  les,?  pure  than  virgin  comb,  because  they 

■^  Of  thLs,  however,  I  am  inclined  to  doubt  the  advantage  ;  at  least  four  days  should  b" 
suffered  to  elapse  before  giving  the  second  hive. 


APPENDIX.  113 

will  only  have  had  one  set  of  young  grubs  hatched  in  them.  I  have  frequently  taken  honey 
from  such  comb,  and  can  speak  very  favorably  of  its  quality.  As  soon  as  the  top  hive  is 
full  of  honey,  it  may  be  removed,  (often  within  a  month  of  the  swarm's  establishment,)  and 
a  third  hive  placed,  not  over,  but  under  the  remaining  one.  la  some  extraordinary  sea- 
sons, the  upper  of  these  may  also  be  taken  away,  and  a  fourth  placed  under  the  third.  In 
either  case,  the  two  boxes  or  hives  last  given  m.ust  be  suffered  to  stand  together  through 
the  winter,  so  that  the  queen  may  have  both  to  breed  in  the  following  spring  and  summer. 
It  is  evident  in  this  way  that  the  prime  swarm  would  be  a  large  one,  (supposing  the  queen 
to  be  in  full  vigor,)  because  the  queen  would  have  ample  space  to  breed  in ;  nor  would  it 
issue  much,  if  at  all,  later  than  the  swarms  out  of  ordinary  hives.  As  soon  as  the  prime 
swarm  has  issued,  Wildman  directs  that  another  hive  should  be  set  under  the  others,  and 
all  casting  prevented.  Should  a  cast  issue,  its  queen  must,  (he  says.)  be  searched  for  and 
destroyed,  when  the  bees  will  return  home  again.  This  plan,  however,  may  often  fail, 
owing  to  the  successive  issue  of  casts  with  every  young  queen  who  proceeds  from  her  cradle 
but  the  last.  I  have  heard  of  the  reissue  of  casts  twenty  times  in  one  season  from  the  same 
hive,  during  all  which  time  the  bees  were  in  a  constant  state  of  agitation,  and  collected  no 
honey  I  The  only  effectual  plan  to  be  pursued,  is  this,  which  I  have  advised  in  this  book, 
— on  the  issue  of  the  first  cast  to  turn  up  the  hive,  and  cut  out  every  royal  cradle  that 
can  be  seen.  This  done,  the  queen  may  be  destroyed,  (because  there  is  already  another 
queen  in  the  hive.)  and  the  cast  returned. 

(E — Page  50.) 

ToDCHixQ  the  fecundity  of  the  queen  bee,  I  am  persuaded  much  error  prevails  among  the 
majority  of  bee  keepers.  Ruber's  opinion  was,  that  in  the  prime  of  the  season,  (in  April 
and  May,)  about  12,000  eggs  are  laid,  which  is  at  the  rate  of  something  like  200  a  day.  I 
have,  however,  long  thought  Reaumur's  statement  far  nearer  the  truth,  which  gives  us 
about  400  a  <fa.y  as  the  average.  Dr.  Bevan  observes,  that '"  this  variation,  (in  the  accounts 
of  the  two  naturalists,)  may  have  arisen  from  variety  of  climate,  season,  or  other  circum- 
stances."' Climate  and  season,  doubtless,  do  exercise  a  great  influence  on  the  prosperity 
of  bees  ;  but  I  cannot  think  the  difference  of  these  so  great  as  to  prevail  in  any  European 
country  to  affect  the  average  of  the  queen's  fecundity  to  so  remarkable  an  extent.  I  think 
we  must  look  for  a  solution  of  the  difficulty  to  the  '■'•other  circumstances"'  at  which  Dr. 
Bevan  hints.  Might  there  not  have  been  some  disparity  Ln  age  and  vigor  between  the 
queens  which  severally  came  under  the  observation  of  these  naturalists  ?  Or  would  not 
the  use  of  small  or  large  hives,  as  I  have  suggested  before,  explain  the  difference  ?  May 
not  Keaumur  have  formed  his  opinion  from  the  data  furnished  from  observations  made 
with  the  help  of  his  great  pyramidal  hive,  while  Huber's  hive  was  of  small  size  ?  May  not 
Shirach,  too,  (who  resided  at  no  very  great  distance  from  the  confines  of  old  Poland,)  have 
made  use  of  hives  similar  to  the  Podolian  hive  ?  And  he  states  his  belief,  that  a  single 
queen  will  lay  from  70,000  to  100,000  eggs  in  a  season. 

Since  I  penned  my  former  note  on  the  subject  of  large  hives,  my  attention  has  been 
drawn  to  the  remarks  of  a  Mr.  Pettigrew,  who  wrote  a  series  of  articles  about  nine  years 
ago  in  the  "Gardeners'  Chronicle."  His  observations  in  general  appear  to  me  exceed- 
ingly just.  As  they  bear  very  much  upon  the  subject  of  this  note,  as  well  as  of  the  for- 
mer, I  may  perhaps  be  pardoned  for  introducing  in  this  place  one  or  two  exeracts  fiom  his 
paper,  of  Jan.  6th,  1S44. 

''  No  person,  (he  says,)  will  ever  pretend  to  say  that  a  queen  bee  can  cease  to  lay  when 
she  likesjor  that  she  has  control  over  the  number  of  her  eggs."     He  then  suggests  an  es- 


114  APPENDIX. 

periment  "  to  show  that  by  keeping  bees  in  small  hives,  you  force  them  to  destroy  two- 
thirds  of  the  eggs  which  queens  lay."  Next  adverting  to  Dr.  Sevan's  remarks,  already  re- 
ferred to,  as  to  the  quantity  of  eggs,  (12,000,)  deposited  in  his  hives  "  at  the  principal  laying, 
in  April  and  May,"  he  observes,  "if  the  Doctor  would  be  at  the  pains  of  putting  a  swarm, 
or  two  swarms  united,  weighing  8  or  9  lbs.,  with  a  queen  that  has  finished  her  principal 
laying,  into  a  hive  containing  twenty-four  superficial  feet  of  comb,  he  would  find  at  the 
end  of  seven  days  above  liO,000  eggs  set."  At  page  124,  (of  the  Honey  Bee,)  he  says, 
"  whatever  advantage  the  putting  of  two  swarms  into  a  hive  may  give  to  a  family  during  the 
first  year  of  its  establishment,  it  can  present  none  beyond  that  period ;  for  the  swarms  that 
have  been  introduced  will  have  paid  the  debt  of  nature  before  its  expiration,  and  are 
thereby  reduced  to  a  level  with  those  that  were  not  doubled.  Dr.  Bevan  is  wrong 
here,  (continues  Mr.  Pettigrew,)  for  a  swarm  that  weighs  8  lbs.,  (that  is,  of  course 
if  put  into  a  sufficiently  roomy  hive,)  hatches  double  the  quantity  of  one  that  weighs  4 
lbs.,  and  consequently  double  the  quantity  of  bees  will  live  throughout  the  winter,  set 
double  the  quantity  of  eggs  in  the  spring,  and  so  forth."  He  finishes  by  recommending  a 
size  of  hive  "  for  first  or  top  swarms  of  from  twenty  to  twenty-four  inches  wide,  and  from 
twelve  to  fifteen  inches  deep."  Such  large  hives,  however,  seem  to  lie  under  much  the 
same  objection  as  that  I  have  advanced  against  the  use  of  the  Podolian  hive,  namely,  that 
quality  of  honey  if  almost  entirely  sacrificed  to  quantity,  which  may  do  well  enough 
for  the  cottagers,  but  certainly  will  neither  satisfy  the  amateur,  nor,  I  think,  the  fastidious 
purchaser. 

In  the  same  volume  of  the  "  Gardeners'  Chronicle"  which  contains  Mr.  Pettigrew's  papers, 
I  find  the  following  communication  by  an  anonymous  correspondent,  who  brings  forward 
the  testimony  of  an  actual  eye  witness  to  the  extent  of  the  royal  bee's  fecundity.  ''  The 
history  of  the  bee,  (says  this  individual,)  has  been  written  with  so  much  truth  by  Huber, 
that  little  is  left  for  inquiry.  I  know  of  but  one  error,  which  is,  I  presume,  by  the  transla- 
tor. The  extraordinary  fecundity  of  a  queen  is  stated  to  be  200  eggs  a  day.  A  queen, 
which  deposited  no  more  eggs  than  that,  would  never  produce  a  swarm,  on  account  of  the 
daily  loss  of  bees  which  go  out  to  the  fields.  I  have  had  queens  which  laid  1,000  eggs  daily 
for  three  months  in  succession.  This  summer,  (1844,)  in  a  glass  hive  containing  one  comb 
four  feet  square,  the  queen  deposited  600  eggs  a  day,  or  16,000  in  twenty  days,  2,000  of 
whoni  were  males." 

(F— Page  52.) 

I  SHALL  entertain  the  reader  here  with  an  extract  from  my  note  book,  giving  an  account  of 
an  accident  which  happened  to  me  last  summer,  while  making  an  artificial  swarm,  and  its 
remedy,  which  will  show  with  what  reason  I  give  the  caution  in  the  text,  as  well  as  sug- 
gest a  method  of  extrication  from  a  similar  difficulty. 

"  22nd  May  ....  "Walked  to to  breakfast,  which  being  ended,  Mr. took 

me  to  visit  a  farmer's  wife  in  his  parish  who  keeps  bees.  There  we  found  two  magnificent 
stocks,  each  with  a  great  mass  of  bees  depending  from  its  board,  well  supplied  with  drones, 
and  only  waiting  the  queen's  pleasure  to  be  off.  How  great  a  temptation  to  our  bee-driving 
propensities  was  here  !  What  experimentalist  could  have  resisted  the  impulse  to  force  an 
issue  on  the  spot  1  Good  people  all,  learn  a  lesson  from  the  following  story,  and  do  not 
meddle  loith  other  peopWs  bees.'  Expertis  credite.  Having  explained  to  the  good  wo- 
man of  the  house,  our  own  success  in  the  matter  of  artificial  swarming,  and  impressed  her 
with  some  notion  of  the  advantage  which  would  result  from  the  process,  or  at  least  with 
«om6  degree  of  faith  in  our  assurances,  we  obtained  permission  to  form  au  artificial  swarm 


APPENDIX.  115 

on  the  spot  out  of  one  or  both  of  her  hives.  Each  of  us  having  his  bee  dress  in  his  pocket, 
nothing  seemed  easier ;  having,  therefore,  duly  armed  ourselves,  and  provided  every  need- 
ful instrument  to  the  process  of  driving,  our  patroness  the  meanwhile  watching  the  pro- 
ceedings from  a  barn  -window  overlooking  the  apiary,  I  commenced  the  operation  in  the 
usual  manner,  my  friend  assisting.  In  a  few  minutes,  thinking  by  the  hum  in  the  upper 
hive  that  all  was  right,  it  was  taken  off,  with  a  considerable  swarm  that  had  ascended  into 
it,  and  put  on  the  stand  whence  the  old  hive  was  taken,  at  the  same  time  removing  this  to 
another  stand,  and  confining  the  bees,  which  remained  in  considerable  numbers,  with  a 
list  bandage.  "While  we  were  congratulating  ourselves  on  the  success  of  our  experiment, 
and  were  meditating  an  attack  on  the  second  hive,  it  suddenly  became  apparent  that  some- 
thing was  wrong  with  our  newly-made  swarm.  The  bees  appeared  restless  and  uneasy, 
and  the  air  was  fiUed  with  a  vast  multitude  of  them,  having  all  the  appearance  of  a  na- 
tural swarm  that  issued  in  the  ordinary  maimer.  In  short,  it  was  evident  that  they  had 
missed  their  queen.  To  make  sure  of  her  absence  from  among  them,  a  cloth  was  spread  on 
the  ground,  and  the  bees  that  remained  in  the  new  hive  were  struck  out  upon  it,  the  hive 
itself  being  at  the  san;e  time  placed  near  them  at  the  edge  of  the  cloth,  resting  on  a  stick. 
Ko  doubt  whatever  now  remained  as  to  the  cause  of  the  commotion  ;  for  though  many  of 
the  bees  crawled  towards  the  hive,  and  even  entered  it  in  considerable  numbers,  they  o-ept 
out  of  it  as  fast  again.  In  this  dilemma,  nothing  presented  itself  to  be  done,  save  to  unfasten 
the  bandage  of  the  old  hive  and  to  restore  it  to  its  former  place,  that  the  outlaying  bees 
might  find  their  way  home  again  previous  to  a  second  attempt  at  driving.  I  am  not  aware 
if  such  occurrence  had  been  observed  before,  but  at  this  juncture  of  afi'airs.  it  became  evi- 
dent that  the  wandering  and  distressed  bees  had  begun  to  fraternise  with  their  neighbors  of 
the  other  stock,  which  stood  on  the  same  shelf  with  themselves,  at  the  distance  of  about  a 
yard.  A  great  many  were  seen  walking  towards  it  with  fanning  wings,  nor  were  they  at 
all  ill-received,  though  I  expected  a  mortal  encounter  ;  it  seemed  as  if  a  most  amicable 
disposition  prevailed  on  the  part  of  the  uninjured  stock  towards  its  queenless  neighbors.  I 
believe,  however,  they  all  returned  afterwards  to  their  own  hive.  But  to  rettxm  to  my 
story. 

"Our  calamities  were  not  yet  to  an  end,  for  in  bringing  back  the  old  hive  to  its  former 
position,  a  large  comb  full  of  brood,  in  every  stage  of  advancement,  disengaged  itself  from 
its  fastenings  and  fell  to  the  ground  !  Miserable  now  was  the  sight  before  us  I  As  the  re- 
sult of  our  experience  hitherto  upon  this  poor  woman's  bees,  we  had  to  show  an  irritated  bee 
population,  a  hive  disturbed  ajid  mutUated,  a  large  quantity  of  brood  lying  damaged  on 
the  ground,  and  not  a  few  of  the  brave  insects  dead.  How  heartily  did  I  repent  having  a 
hand  in  such  a  business. 

"After  much  pondering  and  planning,  my  friend  declared  his  resolution  rather  to  destroy 
the  hive  altogether  than  to  leave  it  in  its  present  condition,  a  monument  against  the  uni- 
versal success  of  artificial  swarming.  At  the  worst,  compensation  could  easily  be  made  in 
an  ample  manner.  But  how  to  proceed  was  the  difiiculty.  At  fii-st  nothing  presented  but 
to  attempt  driving  again,  as  the  only  chance  of  retrieving  our  damaged  reputation.  On 
proceeding,  however,  to  lift  the  hive  again  from  its  stand,  to  our  utter  amazement  and  hor- 
ror, down  fell  a  second  brood  comb,  as  full  of  young  grubs  and  eggs  as  the  former  I  De- 
spair seized  upon  us  both  as  we  stood  aghast  at  this  fresh  calamity.  Doubtless  the  great 
agitation  of  the  bees  and  the  heat  of  the  weather  (for  it  was  very  warm)  was  the  cause  of 
this  double  misfortune. 

"  The  explanation  wsis  easy  enough,  but  how  to  remedy  the  evU.  wais  the  question  at  this 
juncture.  A  sudden  and  happy  thought  fortunately  crossed  my  mind,  namely,  that  by 
the  help  of  these  two  combs,  (which  were  filled,  as  I  said  before,  with  eggs  and  brood  of  all 


116  APPENDIX. 

ages,)  we  might  still  make  a  good  artificial  swarm  on  a  different  principle  to  that  we  had 
intended,  so  as,  in  fact,  to  test  the  Shirachean  system.  I  proceeded  accordingly  to  prop  one 
comb  against  the  other  on  the  old  stand,  at  an  angle  of  about  forty  degrees,  while  my 
friend  placed  the  hive  over  them.  Nosooiier  was  this  effected,  than  all  the  bees,  which  had 
hitherto  been  swarming  about  like  demented  creatures,  began  hurriedly  to  enter,  with 
buzzing  wings  and  every  token  of  joy,  so  that  in  an  incredibly  short  space  of  time  the  bees 
were  as  busily  employed  in  pursuing  their  usual  avocations  as  if  nothing  whatever  had 
happened.  The  removal  and  fastening  up  of  the  old  hive  closed  the  labors  of  this  eventful 
morning.  After  explaining  the  matter  as  best  we  could  to  the  bees'  mistress,  we  returned 
home  vexed  indeed,  yet  on  the  whole  rejoicing  that  there  was  still  good  hope  of  success 
after  all  that  had  happened." 

To  the  above  I  have  to  add  the  following  extract  : — "  Dec.  12.     Paid  a  visit  to  Mr. , 

and  called  at  the farm  to  inc[uire  after  the  fate  of  our  artificial  swarm.   It  was  reported 

to  have  been  found  "  very  heavy"  in  the  autumn,  when  its  owner  gathered  in  her  honey 
harvest  of  the  year  ...  The  old  stock  out  of  which  this  was  formed  sent  out  no  after- 
swarm  ;  it  was,  however,  rich  in  honey,  and  the  bees  had  filled  up  the  void  place  among  the 
combs." 

(G— Page  55.) 

I  SHALL  here  suggest  to  the  experimentalist  a  somewhat  different  treatment  of  his  spolia- 
tion swarms  to  that  pointed  out  in  the  text,  of  whose  practical  value,  however,  I  cannot 
speak  from  experience. 

In  most  parts  of  England  honey  only  abounds  in  the  fields,  and  woods,  and  meadows,  in 
any  surplus  quantity,  during  the  eight  weeks  following  the  20th  of  May  in  average  years. 
It  is  evident,  therefore,  that  the  more  exclusively  the  attention  of  the  bees  is  directed  during 
this  period  to  the  object  of  collecting  it,  the  larger  becomes  the  profit  of  the  bee  master,  and 
in  a  ratio  proportionate  to  the  population  of  the  hive.  Now  it  has  occurred  to  me,  that  if 
we  could  altogether  prevent  breeding  in  a  populous  hive,  the  stores  of  honey  garnered  in  a 
favorable  season  would  be  immense,  as  the  bees  would  thus  naturally  devote  their  whole  time 
and  energies  to  this  object,  none  being  employed  in  nursing  and  tending  the  young  ;  and  in 
this  way,  that  the  grand  secret  would  be  disclosed  of  obtaining  the  fiiazh7iuni  quantity  of 
honey  at  the  least  possible  expense  of  bee  labor.  I  conceive  that  this  might  be  effected  by 
destroying  the  queen  of  a  prime  swarm,  and  compelling  the  bees  to  rear  a  succession  of  ar- 
tificial queens,  by  supplying  ther;^  from  time  to  time  with  pieces  of  worker  comb  contain- 
ing eggs  or  very  young  larvae.  At  the  same  time  care  should  be  taken  to  allow  none  of 
these  queens  to  arrive  at  maturity,  or  to  remove  them,  (if  young  queens  should  be  wanted 
elsewhere,)  the  instant  they  emerge  from  the  cell. 

Should  this  method  of  treating  a  hive  be  thought  worthy  of  a  trial,  I  would  recommend 
a  close  attention  to  the  following  directions,  as  being  the  most  likely  to  insure  success.  Let 
the  swarm  issue  naturally  or  artificially,  and  hive  it  temporarily  in  the  usual  manner. 
Now  procure  a  suitable  piece  of  worker  comb  by  cutting  it  out  of  the  parent  stock,  or  of 
some  other  hive,  taking  care  that  there  be  not  only  very  young  larvs,  but  eggs  also.  Next 
put  a  clean  new  hive  upon  its  own  bottom  board,  and  arrange  the  fragment  of  oombj 
(which  should  be  about  three  inches  square,)  over  one  of  the  holes  at  the  top  of  the  hive, 
under  a  small  glass  just  large  enough  to  hold  it.  This  being  done,  substitute  this  hive  for 
the  stock  from  which  the  swarm  about  to  be  experimented  with  proceeded,  removing  the 
old  hive  to  some  distance.  Now  search'for  the  queen  of  the  swarm  by  dashing  them  all  out  of 
their  temporary  abode  upon  the  ground,  and  destroy  her  when  secured.     The  bees,  on  re- 


AITENDIX.  117 

covering  from  their  stupor  and  missing  their  queen,  will,  as  is  usual  in  such  cases,  fly  away 
one  by  one  to  the  well-ltnown  locality  of  their  old  dwelling.  In  an  incredibly  short  time, 
(though  of  course  much  agitated  at  first,)  the  swarm  will  have  comfortably  established  itself 
in  its  new  dwelling,  as  soon  as  the  piece  of  comb  in  the  bee  glass  is  detected,  and  their  at- 
tention turned  to  it,  as  the  nursery  of  a  new  dynasty  of  queens.  Somewhere  between  the 
tenth  and  fourteenth  day  after,  the  glass  must  be  removed  and  a  fresh  one  substituted  for 
it,  having  another  piece  of  suitable  brood  comb  adjusted  inside,  and  so  on  every  fortnight, 
until  the  honey  harvest  is  concluded,  when,  on  plundering  the  hive,  not  a  cell  will  be 
found  defiled  with  the  necessary  pollutions  of  comb  that  has  had  brood  in  it.  It  is  evident 
that  according  to  this  plan  any  number  of  youthful  queens  may  be  reared  to  substitute  for 
old  queens  of  other  stocks,  whose  vigor  is  supposed  to  be  on  the  decline. 

To  this  most  profitable  plan  of  managing  prime  swarms,  on  the  spoliation  system,  I  can 
only  imagine  one  objection,  namely,  that  the  combsof  the  new  hive,  although  free  from 
the  defilement  of  brood  cells,  might  yet  be  filled  with  useless  hoards  oi pollen,  stored  up  by 
the  provident  insects  in  anticipation  of  a  day  of  need.  How  this  would  be  I  cannot  tell  ; 
I  only  throw  out  these  suggestions  for  the  consideration  of  the  curious  apiarian.  As  to  the 
ultimate  fate  of  the  bees,  they  would,  if  left  to  themselves,  gradually  dwindle  away  by 
natural  death,  so  that  not  one  probably  would  be  found  alive  by  Christmas.  The  most 
humane  method  of  dealing  with  them,  therefore,  would  be  to  fumigate  and  drown  them 
afterwards,  or  destroy  them  over  the  brimstone  pit. 

Since  writing  the  above,  the  admirable  work  of  Bonner  has  come  into  my  hands,  who,  I 
find,  liad  an  idea  of  the  advantage  which  might  accrue  from  the  early  removal  of  its  queen 
from  a  hive  destined  for  autumn  plunder.  "  If  I  intended  to  kill  a  hive  of  bees  in  autumn, 
(he  says,)  I  would  prefer  the  taking  away  their  queen  from  them  about  the  end  of  July, 
and  leaving  a  great  number  of  common  bees  in  the  hive,  which,  as  they  would  have  few 
bees  to  nurse  up,  would  collect  a  greater  quantity  of  honey  in  that  period  than  if  tiiey  had 
a  queen  in  the  hive  daily  laying  eggs  for  them,  which  would  employ  a  good  number  of 
the  bees  both  to  hatch  and  nurse  up  the  young,  and  thereby  the  fewer  would  be  employed 
in  collecting  honey." 

(H— Page  6*7.) 

I  AM  not  aware  that  any  experiments  have  been  instituted,  or,  at  least,  their  results  pub- 
lished, which  tend  to  explain  the  probable  consumption  of  honey  in  the  elaboration  of  wax. 
This  is  a  question  of  considerable  importance  in  apiari5i,n  economics,  as  it  would  teach  us 
the  value  of  this  latter  substance,  and  lead  to  a  discouragement  of  all  unnecessary  con- 
struction of  comb,  in  the  event  of  its  being  found  the  costly  article  which  I  am  disposed  to 
believe  it  is. 

The  pound  of  wax  sells  for,  at  least,  double  the  money  that  a  pound  of  average  honey 
will  fetch  in  the  market  ;  whence,  it  might,  at  first  sight,  seem  desirable  to  encourage 
comb  making  ;  but  this,  a  little  reflection  will  show  to  be  a  mistake  ;  for,  if  wax  be  a 
secretion  from  honey,  as  all  apiarians  are  now  agreed  in  believing  it  to  be,  it  requires  no 
further  proof  to  satisfy  us  that  honey  is,  in  reality,  the  costlier  article  of  the  two.  If  this 
be  granted,  and  I  do  not  see  how  it  can  be  denied,  it  remains  to  be  proved  that  the  differ- 
ence is  so  great  as  to  make  it  an  important  point  in  bee  management  to  discourage  the 
unnecessary  elaboration  of  wax.  As  a  stimulus  to  future  experiment,  and  a  clue  towards 
arriving  at  some  definite  and  certain  knowledge  upon  the  subject,  I  insert  here  the  follow- 
ing extract  from  my  note  book,  the  purport  of  which  I  have  already  communicated  to  Vwi 
"  Cottage  Gardener,"  as  follows  : — 


1J.8  APPENDIX. 

"  Huber  tells  us  that  he  has  found  coarse  sugar  yield  a  large  quantity  of  wax,  and  of  a 
paler  color  than  honey.  If  this  be  true,  some  experiments  that  I  have  made  in  the  rearing 
of  artificial  stocks  this  autumn,  (1850,)  have  opened  my  eyes  to  the  very  great  costliness  of 
wax  in  the  economy  of  bee  management.  Having  driven  the  population  of  four  stocks,  on 
the  5th  of  August,  and  united  them  together,  I  located  them  in  a  spare  bee  box  in  my  win- 
dow apiary,  and  fed  them  with  a  preparation  of  sugar,  honey,  salt,  and  beer,  for  about 
five  weeks.  Although  they  consumed  about  50  lbs.  of  this  mixture,  (the  same  as  that 
described  in  Chapter  XI.  of  this  volume.)  at  the  end  of  that  lime  the  box  was  found  to 
weigh  no  more  than  sixteen  pounds  o{  contents^  that  is,  minus  the  box  only.  Of  this  j 
reckon  about  12  lbs.  to  be  stored  food,  bees  and  3i  lbs.  bee  bread,  and  the  remaining  half 
pound  pure  wax  or  comb.  Thus,  if  there  be  deducted  from  tliese  46  lbs.  of  food  the  ac- 
tually stored  12  lbs.,  there  remain  34  lbs.  to  be  accounted  for.  The  actual  consumption  of 
any  considerable  quantity  of  it  as  food  can  hardly  be  imagined,  for  my  other  hives  were 
maintaining  themselves  all  this  time  almost  entirely  upon  what  they  still  collected  in  the 
fields.  For  instance,  one  hive,  whose  population  was  the  most  numerous,  diminished  in 
weight  3  lbs.  in  the  interval  between  the  5th  of  August  and  the  29th  of  October  ;  a  second, 
3  lbs.  8  oz.  between  the  3rd  of  August  and  the  8th  of  November  (when  I  buried  it) ;  a  third, 
(whose  position  I  changed  at  the  end  of  July.)  5  lbs.  between  the  8th  of  August  and  the 
12th  of  October.  Now  I  do  not  think  that  the  increased  activity  of  this  experimental  hive, 
will  anything  like  explain  away  the  34  lbs.  by  supposing  so  enormous  a  consumption  as 
food,  even  allowing  that  their  appetite  was  proportionably  excited  ;  thus,  there  remains 
nothing  for  us  but  to  conclude  that  hj  far  the  greater  part,  sdLj  at  least  25  lbs.,  was  con- 
sumed in  elaborating  the  half  pound  of  ivax,  employed  constructing  the  comb.'''' 

"We  cannot  of  course  form  any  certain  conclusion  from  this  fact,  because  we  have  yet 
to  ascertain  whether  pure  honey  or  the  prepared  food,  of  which  I  made  use,  contains  the 
larger  quantity  of  the  waxen  element.  As  this  is  a  question  of  no  little  importance,  1 
would  gladly  induce  some  experimental  apiarian  to  join  me  in  my  endeavors  to  ascertain 
the  truth  in  this  matter,  which  I  propose  to  attempt  in  the  course  of  the  approaching  sum- 
mer or  autumn. 


(I— Page  83.) 

It  seems  necessary  that  I  should  caution  the  reader  against  a  too  indiscriminate  or  system- 
atic destruction  of  his  queen  bees,  without  a  due  regard  to  circuna^tances.  I  have  stated 
that,  as  a  general  rule,  I  believe  the  queen  bee  to  be  in  her  prime  the  second  twelvemonth  of 
her  existence  ;  and  in  stating  this,  I  but  repeat  what  other  naturalists  and  bee  authors 
have  stated  before.  Therefore,  as  a  rule,  it  follows  that,  where  it  can  be  ione  judiciously, 
a  succession  of  young  queens,  not  exceeding  two  years  old,  should  be  kept  up  by  a  biennial 
removal  of  the  old  ones.  But  it  must  be  borne  in  mind,  that  all  queens  are  not  all  equally 
prolific  or  fruitful  mothers  :  therefore,  in  the  event  of  a  queen's  having  proved  herself  an 
e.xtraordinarily  good  breeder  one  year,  it  will  be  for  the  apiarian  to  consider  whether  he  may 
not  become  a  loser  by  exchanging  her  for  a  younger  queen.  I  myself  should  by  all  means 
permit  her  to  reign  a  third  summer,  and,  it  may  be,  even  a  fourth,  should  her  vigor  not 
seem  too  considerably  abated,  but  this  very  rarely.  In  judging  of  a  queen's  vigor,  again,  it 
must  be  borne  in  mind,  that  the  same  mother  who  in  a  thinly-peopled  hive  would  be  a 
bad  breeder,  would  probably  prove  very  fertile  in  a  populous  stock.  And  for  similar  rea- 
sons, a  queen  born  in  a  very  strong  stock  would  turn  out  more  prolific  than  a  princess 
reared  in  a  weak  hive — whether  artificially  or  naturally  reared,  it  matters  not. 


APPENDIX.  119 

The  bse  misler  cannot  greatly  err,  therefore,  who  exchanges  the  queens  of  his  strong 
stocks  triennially,  though,  no  doubt,  in  the  end,  he  would  find  it  more  profitable  to  change 
them  every  two  years. 

(K— Page  95.) 

ALTnoaon  the  account  of  my  discovery  of  this  plan  of  uniting  bees  has  been  communicated 
at  different  times  to  the  '•  Cottage  Gardener,"  I  may  be  pardoned  for  re-introducing  it 
here,  as  it  may  be  interesting  to  some  who  have  not  seen  it  in  that  periodical.  The  fol- 
lowing is  an  extract  from  my  communication  to  this  paper  : — "  I  hit  upon  the  plan  accident- 
ally, as  I  was  hesitating  between  the  adoption  of  the  fumigating  or  sugar  and  water 
drowning  process  of  uniting  bees,  one  or  the  other  of  which  is  recommended  by  apiarians. 
I  was  quite  unused  to  either  of  these  plams,  and  somewhat  dreaded  the  experiment.  The 
scene  of  operation  was  the  small  nursery  back  garden  of  some  excellent  friends  of  mine, 
who  had  kindly  permitted  me  to  make  what  use  I  pleased  of  the  population  of  five  cottage 
hives,  which  they  intended  to  plunder,  and  the  time  was  SA  P.  M.,  on  the  9th  of  August, 
1849.  After  trying  what  I  could  do  with  one  hive  by  fumigation,  and  having  made  a  terri- 
ble mess  of  the  affair,  I  proceeded  to  try  the  sugar  and  water  drowning  process  ;  to  effect 
which,  I  proposed  first  to  drive  into  separate  empty  hives  the  population  of  two  strong 
stocks ;  and  then,  after  sprinkling  them  with  sugar  and  water,  to  mix  the  bees  together. 
The  job,  however,  appeared  so  awkward  and  filthy,  that  my  heart  greatly  revolted  against 
it ;  however,  there  seemed  no  remedy,  so  to  driving  I  went.  A  magnificent  second-year 
stock,  as  full  of  bees  as  it  could  hold,  (the  more  bees  the  better  for  the  success  of  the  ex- 
perijient.)  was  successfully  driven  in  about  fifteen  minutes  into  an  empty  hive,  which  was 
taken  off  and  put  gently  aside  until  wanted  again.  The  few  remaining  tees  next  were 
fumigated  with  sulphur  before  being  taken  into  the  house.  Another  fine  and  populous 
stock  was  then  turned  up  as  before,  an  early  cast  of  the  current  year,  but  instead  of  placing 
an  empty  hive  over  it  as  before,  it  suddenly  crossed  my  mind  to  try  what  driving  into  the 
other  already  temporarily-occupied  hive  would  do— the  empty  hive,  I  mean,  into  which 
the  population  of  the  first  hive  had  already  been  driven.  But  would  they  not  fight  and 
destroy  each  other  ?  If  they  did,  thought  I,  I  have  yet  two  good  stocks  to  fall  back  upon  ; 
so,  in  an  instant,  the  tenanted  combless  hive  was  gently  replaced  over  the  now  reversed 
cast,  and  to  driving  we  went  in  good  earnest.  '  Hark  I  what  an  awful  buzzing  1'  said  my 
companion  ;  and.  indeed,  I  began  to  dread  a  general  massacre  as  the  hum  increased ;  pres- 
ently, however,  as  our  tapping  ceased,  the  hum  died  away,  and  profound  silence  reigned 
within.  My  success  was  complete,  for,  on  taking  off  the  upper  hive,  an  enormous  mass  of 
bees  was  disclosed  to  view,  hanging  motionless  in  thick  clusters  from  the  roof,  united  to- 
gether in  great  apparent  harmony  and  tranquillity.  The  few  remaining  bees  in  the  old  hive 
were  sulphured  as  before  ;  and  our  united  hive  was  suffered  to  remain  till  morning  resting 
over  an  empty  bucket,  within  two  yards  of  their  old  locality,  and  covered  with  a  sheet. 
Great  was  the  activity  of  our  newly-formed  stock,  the  next  day,  (but  no  signs  of  war 
were  visible,)  till  about  2i  p.  m.,  when  I  shook  them  all  out  upon  a  sheet  on  the  ground 
in  front  of  the  box  which  was  destined  for  their  reception,  into  which  tbey  all  immediately 
crept  after  their  queen.  As  soon  as  they  had  nearly  all  left  the  cloth,  the  conquered  queen 
was  discovered  in  front  of  the  box.  dead,  but  still  surrounded  by  an  escort  of  bees,  who  paid 
her  the  last  tribute  of  respect  and  loyalty.  The  box,  containing  the  now  united  swarm, 
was  transferred  the  same  evening  to  my  own  apiary,  where  it  remains  to  this  day." 


BY 

C.   M.    SAXTON, 

152  FULTON  STEEET,  NEW  YOEK, 

SUITABLE   FOR 

SCHOOL,    TOWN,    AGRICULTURAL, 

AND 

PRIVATE     LIBRARIES. 


The  American  Farm  Book; 

The  Americin  Farm  Book  ;  or,  a  Compend  of  American  Agriculture,  being  a  Practical 
Treatise  on  Soils,  Manures,  Draining,  Irrigation,  Grasses,  Grain,  Roots,  Fruits,  Cotton, 
Tobacco.  Sugar-Cane,  Rice,  and  every  staple  product  of  the  United  States  ;  with  the 
best  methods  of  Planting,  Cultivating,  and  Preparation  for  Market.  Illustrated  by 
more  than  100  engravings.     By  R.  L.  Allen.     Cloth,  $1  ;  mail  edition,  paper,  75  cts. 

American  Poultry  Yard ; 

The  American  Poultry  Yard  ;  comprising  the  Origin,  History  and  Description  of  the  differ- 
ent Breeds  of  Domestic  Poultry,  with  complete  directions  for  their  Breeding,  Crossing, 
Rearing,  Fattening,  and  Preparation  for  Market;  including  specific  directions  for  Capo- 
nizing  Fowls,  and  for  the  Treatment  of  the  Principal  Diseases  to  which  they  are  sub- 
ject ;  drawn  from  authentic  sources  and  personal  observation  Illustrated  with  numerous 
engravings      By  D.  J.  Browne.     Cloth  or  sheep,  $1  ;  mail  edition,  paper,  75  cts. 

The  Diseases  of  Domestic  Animals; 

Being  a  History  and  Description  of  the  Horse,  Mule,  Cattle,  Sheep,  Swine,  Poultry, 
and  Farm  Dogs,  with  Directions  for  their  Management,  Breeding,  Crossing,  Rearing, 
Feeding,  and  Preparation  for  a  profitable  JMarket  ;  also,  their  Diseases  and  Remedies; 
together  with  full  Directions  for  the  Management  of  the  Dairy,  and  the  Comparative 
Economy  and  Advantages  of  Working  Animals,  the  Horse,  Mule,  Oxen,  &c.  By 
R.  L.  Allen.     Cloth  or  sheep,  75  cts.  ;  mail  edition,  paper,  50  cts. 

American  Bee  Keeper's  Manual; 

Being  a  Practical  Treatise  on  the  History  and  Domestic  Economy  of  the  Honey  Bee  ; 
embracing  a  full  illustration  of  the  whole  subject,  with  the  most  approved  methods 
of  Managing  this  Insect,  through  every  branch  of  its  Culture,  the  result  of  many  years' 
experience.     Illustrated  with  many  engravings.     By  T.  B.  Miner.     Cloth  or  sheep,  $1. 

The  Modern  Stair  Builder's  Guide  : 

Being  a  Plain,  Practical  System  of  Hand  Railing,  embracing  all  its  necessary  Details, 
and  Geometrically  Illustrated  by  Twenty-two  Steel  Engravings;  together  with  the  Use 
of  the  most  important  Principles  of  Practical  Geometry.  By  Simon  De  Graff,  Archi- 
tect.    $-2. 

Pjize  Essay  on  Manures. 

An  Essay  on  Manures,  submitted  to  the  Trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  Society  for  Pro- 
moting Agriculture,  for  their  Premium.     By  Samuel  L,  Dana.    Paper.     25  cts. 


Boohs  Published  by  C.  M.  Saxton. 


American  Bird  Fancier. 


Considered  with  reference  to  the  Breeding,  Rearing,  Feeding,  Management,  &c.,of  Cage 
and  House  Birds.  Illustrated  with  engrarings.  By  D.  J.  Browne.  Cloth,  50  cts. ;  mail 
edition,  paper,  25  ctiB. 

American  Architect. 

The  American  Architect;  comprising  Original  Designs  of  cheap  Country  and  Village 
Residences,  with  Details,  Speciticatioiis,  Plans,  and  ]3irectioiis,  and  an  estimate  of  the 
Cost  of  each  Design  By  John  W.  Ritch,  Architect.  First  and  Second  Series  ouarto, 
bound  in  2  vols.,  sheep.  $6.    Mail  edition,  paper,  $5. 

Domestic  Medicine. 

Gunn's  Domestic  Medicine  ;  or,  Poor  Man's  Friend  in  the  Hours  of  Affliction.  Pain,  and 
Sickness.  Raymond's  new  revised  edition,  improved  and  enlarged  by  ,Iohn  C  Gunn. 
8vo.     Sheep.     $3. 

Saxton's  American    Farmer's   Almanac    for    1852. 

Per  100,  $3. 

Family  Kitchen  Gardener. 

Containing  Plain  and  Accurate  Descriptions  of  all  the  Different  Species  and  Varieties  of 
Culinary  Vegetables  ;  with  their  Botanical,  English,  French,  and  German  names, 
alphabetically  arranged,  and  the  best  mode  of  cultivating  them  in  the  garden,  or  under 
glass  ;  also,  Descriptions  and  Character  of  the  most  Select  Fruits,  their  Management, 
Propagation,  &o.  By  Robert  Bnist.  author  of  the  American  Flower  Garden  Directory, 
&o.     cloth  or  sheep,  75  cts.  ;  mail  edition,  paper,  50  cts 

Practical  Agriculture. 

Being  a  Treatise  on  the  General  Relations  which  Science  bears  to  Agriculture.  Deli- 
vered before  the  New  York  State  Agricultural  Society,  by  James  F.  W.  Johnston, 
F.  R.  S.  S.  S.  and  E.,  Professor  of  Agricultural  Chemistry  in  Durham  University,  and 
author  of  Lectures  on  Agricultural  Chemistry,  with  Notes  and  Explanations  by  an 
American  Farmer.    Cloth,  75  cts. ;  mail  edition,  paper,  50  cts. 

Elements  of  Agricultural  Chemistry  and  Geology. 

By  J.  F.  W.  Johnston,  M.A.,  F.R.S.     50  cts. 

Youatt  and  Martin  on  Cattle: 

Being  a  Treatise  on  their  Breeds,  Management,  and  Diseases ;  comprising  a  full  History 
of  the  Various  Races  ;  their  Origin,  Breeding,  and  Merits;  their  capacity  for  Beef  and 
Milk.  By  W.  Youatt  and  VV.  C.  L.  Martin.  The  whole  forming  a  complete  Guide  for 
the  Farmer,  the  Amateur,  and  the  Veterinary  Surgeon,  with  100  illustrations.  Edited 
by  Ambrose  Stevens.     $1  25. 

Youatt  on  the  Horse. 

Youatt  on  the  Structure  and  Diseases  of  the  Horse,  with  their  Remedies.  Also,  Practi- 
cal Rules  for  Buyers,  Breeders,  Breakers,  Smiths,  &o.  Edited  by  W.  C.  Spooner, 
M  R.C.V.S.  With  an  account  of  the  Breeds  in  the  United  Skates,  by  Henry  S.  Ran- 
dall.    $1  25. 


Youatt  on  Sheep : 


Their  Breed,  Management,  and  Diseases,  with  illustrative  engravings  ;  to  which  are 
added  Remarks  on  the  Breeds  and  Management  of  Sheep  in  the  United  States,  and  on 
the  Culture  of  Fine  Wool  in  Silesia.     By  Wm.  Youatt.     75  cts. 

Hoare  on  the  Grape  Vine. 

A  Practical  Treatise  on  the  Cultivation  of  the  Grape  Vino  on  open  Walls,  with  a  De- 
scriptive Account  of  an  improved  method  of  Planting  and  Managing  the  Roots  of  Grape 
Vines.  By  Clement  Hoare.  With  an  Appendix  on  the  Cultivation  of  the  same  in  the 
United  States.    50  cts. 


Books  Piihlished  by  C.  M.  Saxton.  3 

The  American  Agriculturist : 

Being  a  Collection  of  Original  Articles  on  the  Various  Subjects  connected  ■with  the  Farm, 
in  ten  vols.  8vo.,  containing  nearly  four  thousand  pages.     $10. 

Johnston's  Agricukural  Chemistry. 

Lectures  on  the  Application  of  Chemistry  and  Geology  to  Agriculture.  New  edition, 
with  an  Appendix.     $1  25. 

Stephens'  Book  of  the  Farm. 

A  Complete  Guide  to  the  Farmer,  Steward,  Plowman,  Cattleman,  Shepherd,  Field- 
Worker,  and  Dairy  .Maid.  By  Henry  Stephens.  With  Four  Hundred  and  Fifty  Illus- 
trations ;  to  which  are  added  Explanatory  Notes,  Remarks.  &c  ,  by  J.  S.  Skinner. 
Really  one  of  the  best  books  for  a  Farmer  to  possess.     Cloth,  $1 ;  leather,  $1  50. 

The  Complete  Farmer  and  American  Gardener, 

Rural  Economist,  and  New  American  Gardener,  containing  a  Compendious  Epitome  of 
the  most  Important  Branches  of  Agricultural  and  Rural  Economy  ;  with  Practical 
Directions  on  the  Cultivation  of  Fruits  and  Vegetables  ;  including  Landscape  and  Orna- 
mental Gardening.     By  Thomas  G.  Fessenden.    2  vols,  in  one.     §1  25. 

Chemistry  Made  Easy, 

For  the  L'se  of  Farmers.     By  J.  Topham,  ALA.    25  cts. 

Brandy  and  Salt, 

A  Remedy  for  various  Internal  as  well  as  External  Diseases,  Inflammation  and  Local 
Injuries.     By  Rev.  Samuel  Fenton.    12i  cts. 

Southern  Agriculture. 

Comprising  Essays  on  the  Cultivation  of  Corn,  Hemp,  Tobacco,  Wheat.  &o.     $1. 

The  Cottage  and  Farm  Bee  Keeper  : 

A  Practical  Work,  by  a  Country  Curate.     50  cts. 

A  Book  for  Every  Boy  in  the  Country. 

Elements  of  Agriculture.  Translated  from  the  French,  and  adapted  to  General  Use, 
by  F.  G.  Skinner.     25  cts. 

Rural  Architecture ; 

Comprising  Farm  Houses.  Cottages.  Carriage  Houses,  Sheep  and  Dove  Cotes,  Pigeries, 
Barns,  &c.  &c.     By  Lewis  F.  Allen.     $1  2-5. 

The  American  Muck  Book. 

The  American  Muck  Book  ;  treating  of  the  Nature.  Properties,  Sources,  History, 
and  Operations  of  all  the  principal  Fertilizers  and  Manures  in  Common  Use.  with 
Specific  Directions  for  their  Preservation,  and  Application  to  the  Soil  and  to  Crops  ; 
drawn  from  Authentic  Sources.  Actual  Experience,  and  Personal  Observation,  ju.  Com- 
bined with  the  leading  Principles  of  Practical  and  Scientific  Agriculture.  By  J.  D. 
Browne.     SI. 

Youatt  on  the  Pig. 

A  Treatise  on  the  Breeds,  Management,  and  Medical  Treatment  of  Swine  ;  with  direc- 
tion for  Salting  Pork,  Curing  Bacon  and  Hams.  By  WnuYouatt,  R,S.  Illustrated  with 
engravings  drawn  from  life.     60  cts. 

Youatt  on  the  Dog;. 

By  Wm.  Youatt,  Splendidly  illustrated.  Edited,  with  Additions,  by  E.  J.  Lewis,  M.D. 
Si  50. 

The  Poultry  Book. 

By  John  C.  Bennett,  M.D.    81  cts. 


Books  for  Sale  by  C.  M.  Snxton. 


The  American  Poulterer's  Companion, 

,      With  illustrations.    By  C  N.  Bement.     §1. 

American  Poultry  Book. 

By  Micajah  Cock.    3S  cts. 

The  Rose  Culturist. 

A  Tractical  Treatise  on  its  Cultivation  and  Management.    3S  eta, 

A  Practical  Treatise  on  Honey  Bees, 

Their  Management,  &c.     By  Edward  Townley.    50  cts. 

The  American  Fruit  Book 

By  S.  "W.  Cole.    50  cts. 

The  American  Veterinarian. 

By  S.  W.  Cole.    50  cts. 

The  Gardener's  Text  Book. 

By  Peter  Adam  Schenck.     50  cts. 

The  American  Gardener. 

By  William  Cobbett.    50  cts. 

The  Farmer's  Land  Measurer. 

By  James  Pedder.     50  cts. 

New  England  Fruit  Book. 

By  John  M.  Ives.     56  cts. 

Practical  Treatise  on  Fruits, 

Adapted  to  Nevv'  England  Culture.  By  George  Jaques.    50 cts. 

Farmer  and  Emigrant's  Hand  Book. 

A  Guide  to  Clearing  the  Forest  and  Prairie  Land,  &c.,  <fec.     By  Josiah  T.  Marshall. 
75  cts. 

Farmer's  Barn  Book. 

By  Youatt,  Clater,  Skinner  and  Mills.     $1  25. 

Hind's  Farriery  and  Stud  Book. 

Edited  by  J.  S.  Skinner.     $1. 

Mason's  Farrier  and  Stud  Book. 

Edited  by  J.  S.  Skinner.     $1  25. 

Stewart's  Stable  Economy. 

A  Treatise  on  the  Management  of  Horses.     Edited  by  A.  B.  Allen.     $1. 

Sugar  Planter's  Manual. 

By  W.  S.  Evans,  M  D.     $1  25. 

Treatise  on  Hothouses  and  Ventilation. 


By  R  B.  Suckars.    |1  25. 


Books  for  Sale  by  C.  M.  Saxton. 


Ornamental  and  Domestic  Poultry. 

By  Rev.  Kdmund  Saul  Dixon,  A.M.     With  Large  Additions  by  J.  J.  Kerr,  M.D.     With 

illustrations.     $1. 


Canfield  on  Sheep, 


Their  Breeds,  Management,  Structure,  and  Diseases.     With  Illustrative  Engravings  and 
an  Appendix.     Edited  by  H.  J.  Canfield.     $1. 

Book  of  Flowers, 

In  which  are  described  the  various  Hardy  Herbaceous  Perennials,  Annuals,  Shrubby 
rianls  and  Evergreen  Trees  desirable  for  Ornamental  Purposes.    By  Jos.  Breok.    75  cts. 

Experimental  Researches  on  the  Food  of  Animals, 

The  Fattening  of  Cattle,  and  Remarks  on    the   Food   of   Man.     By  Robert  Dundas 
Thompson,  M.D.     75  cts. 

The  American  Flower  Garden  Companion, 

Revised  and  enlarged.     By  Edward  Sayres.    75  cts. 

The  Farmer's  Treasure. 

A  Treatise  on   the  Katnre  and  Value  of  Manures,  and  Productive  Farming.    By  F. 
Faulkner  and  Joseph  A.  Smith.     75  cts. 

The  Practical  Farrier. 

By  Richard  Mason.    75  cts. 

The  American  Farrier. 

By  Barnum.    75  cts. 

Principles  of  Practical  Gardening. 

By  Geo.  W.  Johnston,  Esq.     $1  25. 

The  American  Fruit  Garden  Companion. 

A  Treatise  on  the  Propagation  and  Culture  of  Fruit.     By  S.  Sayres.     33  cts. 


Spooner  on  the  Grape. 


The  Cultivation  of  American  Grape  Vines,  and  making  of  Wine.    By  Alden  Spooner. 
33  cts. 

The  Young  Gardener's  Assistant. 

By  Thomas  Bridgeman.    ^1  50. 

The  Florist's  Guide. 

By  Thos.  Bridgeman.    50  cts. 

The  Kitchen  Gardener's  Instructor. 

By  Bridgeman.    50  cts. 

The  Fruit  Cultivator's  Manual. 

By  Bridgeman.    50  cts. 

The  Horse, 

Its  Habits,  Diseases  and  Management,  in  the  Stable  and  on  the  Road,  &c.    35  cts. 


Books  for  Sale  by  C.  M.  Saxton. 


The  Fruit,  Flower,  and  Kitchen  Garden. 

By  Patrick  NeiU,  LL.D  ,  F.K.S.,  adapted  to  the  United  States.    $1  25. 

Ladies'  Companion  to  the  Flower  Garden. 

By  Mrs.  Loudon.     Edited  by  A.  J.  Downing      5?!  25. 

The  Fruits  and  Fruit  Trees  of  America. 

By  A.  J.  Downing.     51  50. 
Do.  do.  do.  do.  colored,     15  00 

Dictionary  of  Modern  Gardening. 

By  Geo.  W.  Johnston.     Edited  by  David  Landreth.     §1  £0. 

The  Rose  Fancier's  Manual. 

By  Mrs.  Gore.    §1  50. 

Parsons  on  the  Rose. 

The  Rose  :  its  History,  Poetry,  Culture,  and  Classification.     By  S.  B.  Parsons.    §1  GO. 


Hovey's  Fruits  of  America. 


Containing  richly  colored  Figures  and   full  Descriptions  of  all  the  Choicest  Varieties 
cultivated  in  the  United  States,  in  12  numbers.     $12. 

History,  Treatment  and  Diseases  of  the  Horse, 

With  a  Treatise  on  Draught,  and  Copious  Index.     52. 

Rural  Economy, 

In  its  Relations  with  Chemistry,  Physics,  and  Meteorology.    By  J.  B.  Boussingault. 
Translated,  &c.,  by  George  Law.     $1. 

Liebig's  Ae;ricultural  Chemistry. 

Edited  by  Lyon  Playfair,  Ph.D  ,  F.G.S  ,  and  WilUam  Gregory,  M.D  .  P.R.S.E.     $1. 

The  Modern  System  of  Farriery, 

As  Practised  at  the  Present  Time  at  the  Royal  Veterinary  College,  and  from  Twenty 
Years'  Practice  of  the  Author,  George  Skeviiigton,  M.R.V  C.     $5. 

Ewbank's  Hydraulics  : 

A  Descriptive   and   Historical  Account  of  Hydraulic  and  other  Machines  for  Raising 
Water.     $2  50. 

The  Fruit  Garden. 

By  P.Barry.    $1  25. 

The  American  Fruit  Culturist ; 

Containing  Directions  for  the  Culture  of  Fruit  Trees  in  the  Nursery,  Orchard,  and  Gar- 
den.    By  John  J.  Thomas.     §1. 

The  Rose  Manual. 

By  Robert  Buist.     75  cts. 

The  Plants  of  Boston  and  Vicinity. 

By  Jacob  Bigelow,  M.D.     $1  50. 


Books  for  Sale  by  C.  M.  Saxton. 


The  Indian  Meal  Book ; 

Comprising  the  best  Receipts  for  the  Preparation  of  that  Article.  By  Miss  Leslie,  25cts. 

The  Horse's  Foot, 

AnJ  How  to  Keep  it  Soond.     By  "Williana  Miles.    25  cts. 

Catechism  of  Agricultural  Chemistry  and  Geology. 

By  J.  F.  "W.  Johnston.    25  cts. 

Chemistry  Apphed  to  Agriculture. 

By  Le  Count  Chaptal.     50  cts. 

British  Husbandry. 

Three  Vols,  and  Supplement.    $5. 

Loudon's  Arboretum. 

Eight  Vols.    §25. 

Loudon  on  Gardening. 

Loudon's  Encyclopedia  of  Gardening.     §10. 

Loudon  on  Agriculture. 

Loudon's  Encyclopedia  of  Agriculture.    $10. 

Loudon  on  Trees,  &c. 

Loudon's  Encyclopedia  of  Trees,  Shrubs,  &c. 

Loudon  on  Plants,  &c. 

Loudon's  Encyclopedia  of  Plants,  &c. 

The  Farmer's  Library. 

Two  vols.  Svo.  English.     §5. 

The  Farmer's  Dictionary. 

By  D.  P.  Gardner.     $1  50. 

Practical  Treatise  on  the  Grape  Vine. 

By  J.  Fisk  Allen.     Boards,  $1 ;  paper,  S3  cts. 

Practical  Treatise  on  the  Veterinary  Art. 

By  J.  Briddon.     75  cts. 

Sheep  Husbandry. 

By  Henry  S.  Randall.    $1  25. 

Agricultural  Chemistry. 

By  Justus  Liebig.    Cloth,  $1 ;  cheap  edition,  25  cts. 

Animal  Chemistry. 

By  J.  Liebig.    Cloth,  .50  cts. ;  cheap  ed.  paper,  25  cts. 

Liebig's  Complete  Works, 

In  one  vol.  Svo.     $1. 


8  Books  for  Sale  by  C  M.  Saxton. 


Cottage  and  Farm  Houses. 

By  A.  J.  Downing.     $2 

Country  Houses. 

By  A.  J.  Downing.     $4. 

Sportsman's  Library. 

By  T.  B.  .lohnson.     English  edition.     $5. 

Landscape  Gardening. 

By  A.  J.  Downing.    $-3  50. 

Cottage  Residences. 

By  A.  J.  Downing.  S2. 

Chaptal's  Agricultural  Chemistry, 

"With  Notes.     $1. 

American  Husbandry. 

By  Gaylord  and  Tucker.     §1. 

Gardener's  Dictionary. 

By  Geo.  Don,  F.L  S.    4  vols,  quarto.    $10. 

Journal  of  Agriculture. 

Edited  by  John  S.  Skinner.    3  vols.     §6. 

Downing's  Horticulturist. 

Half  morocco.    Per  Vol.  yearly  Vols.    ^3  75. 
Do.  do.  half  yearly  "  2  00. 

The  Complete  Produce  Reckoner, 

Showing  the  Value  by  Pound  or  Bushel.     By  K..  Robbins.    75  cts. 

The  American  Shepherd. 

By  L.  A.  Morrill.     $1. 

The  Principles  of  Agriculture. 

By  Albert  D.  'J  haer.     S?2  .TO. 

Lectures  to  Farmers  on  Agricultural  Chemistry. 

By  Alexander  Petzholdts.     75  cts. 

The  Complete  Farrier. 

By  John  C.  Knowlson.     25  cts. 

The  Complete  Cow  Doctor. 

By  J.  C.  Knowlson.     25  cts. 

Milch  Cows. 

By  Guenon.     3S  cts. 

A  Home  for  All ; 

Or  a  New,  Cheap,  and  Superior  mode  of  Building.    By  0.  S.  Fowler.    50  cts. 


Books  for  Sale  by  C.  3L  Saxtoti- 


The  Poultry  Breeder. 

By  George  T.  Buruham.     25  cts 

The  American  Fowl  Breeder.    25  cts. 
The  Farmer's  Companion. 

By  Judge  Buel.     7j  cts. 

The  Farmer's  Instructor. 

By  Judge  Buel.    $'.. 

European  Agriculture, 

From  Pergonal  Observatioa      By  Henry  Coleman.     2  vols.  $5  00. 

"Do  do.  do.  1  vol.  4  50. 

The  Gardener  and  Florist.     25  cu. 
The  Houej  Bee. 

By  Sevan.    31  cts. 

Elements  of  Practical  Agriculture. 

By  John  P.  Norton.    50  cts. 

Rogers'  Scientific  Agriculture^    75  cu. 
Mills'  Sportsman's  Library.    $1. 
Stable  Talk  and  Table  Talk.    $1. 
Hawker  and  Porter  on  Shooting.    $2  75. 
Field  Sports. 

By  Frank  Forrester.     2  vols.     $1 

Fish  and  Fishing. 

By  Frank  Forrester.     $3  .50. 

The  American  Angler's  Guide. 

By  J.  J.  Brown.     $1  50. 

Johnson's  Farmer's  Encyclopedia. 

Edited  by  G.  Emerson,  M.D.     $1. 

Scientific  and  Practical  Agriculture. 

By  Alonzo  Gray.     75  cts. 

Theory  and  Practice  of  Agriculture. 

By  A.  Partridge.     12  cts. 

Armstrong  on  Agriculture.   50  cts. 


10  Books  for  Sale  by  C.  M.  Saxton. 

Hovey's  Magazine  of  Horticulture. 

rulilisliej  raoiilhly.     Per  annum  $2. 

Downing'  Horticulturist. 

Published  monthly.     Per  annum  $3. 

Gilpin's  Landscape  Gardening. 

English  edition.     $2  50. 

The  Gardener's  Calendar. 

ByM.  Mahon.     $3  50. 

Agriculture  for  Schools. 

By  Rev.  J.  L.  Blake,  D.D.     $1. 

Text  Book  of  Agriculture. 

By  Davis.    50  cts. 

The  American  Agriculturist  and  Fanner's  Cabinet. 

Published  monthly.    Per  annum  $1. 

Weeks  on  the  Honey  Bee. 
Cottages  and  Cottage  Life. 

By  Elliott.     $2  2.'3. 

Chemical  Analysis. 

By  Fresinus  and  Bullock.    $1 . 

Applied  Chemistry. 

ByAParncll.     $1. 

The  Vegetable  Kingdom, 

Or  Handbook  of  Plants.     By  L.  D.  Chapin.     $1  25. 

The  Muck  Manual. 

A  new  edition.     By  Samuel  L.  Dana.     75  cts. 

Youatt  on  the  Horse. 

Edited  by  J.  S.  Skinner.     fSl  50. 

Clater's  Farrier,   so  cts. 
The  Dog  and  Sportsman. 

By  J.  S.  Skinner,     ct? 

The  Bird  Keeper's  Manual,    so  cts. 
The  American  Herd  Book. 

By  Lewis  F.  Allen.     $3. 

The  American  Orchardist. 

By  J.  Kenrick.     75  els. 


Books  for  Sale  by  C.  M.  Saxton.  11 

Blacklock's  Treatise  on  Sheep,   aocts. 
Guide  to  the  Orchard  and  Fruit  Garden. 

By  G.  Liudley.     §1  50. 

The  Trees  of  America. 

By  D.  J.  Brown.     $4  50. 

American  Flower  Garden  Directory. 

By  Robert  Buist.     $1  25. 

The  American  Cattle  Doctor. 

By  G.  H.  Dodd.     1  vol.  Svo.     §2. 

Maury's  Navigation. 

A  Xew  Theoretical  and  Practical  Treatise  on  Navigation,  in  which  the  Auxiliary 
Branches  of  Mathematics  and  Astronomy  are  treated  of,  and  the  Theory  and  most  simple 
Methods  of  Finding  Time,  Latitude,  and  Longitude,  by  Chronometers,  Lunar  Observa- 
tions, Single  and  Double  Altitudes,  are  taught.  Third  edition,  enlarged  and  improved. 
By  M.  F.  JNIaury,  Lieut.  U.  S.  Navy.     Svo.  sheep,  library  style.     $3  50. 

Works  of  Thomas  Dick. 

The  "Works  of  Thomas  Dick,  LL.D.  10  vols,  in  5, 12nio.  Embellished  by  a  Portrait  of 
the  Author,  from  an  engraving  on  steel,  and  illustrated  by  woodcuts  representing  mora 
than  500  dilFerent  objects.     Neat  half  muslin  binding,  $3  25  ;  morocco  backs,  $4. 

Compendium  of  English  Literature. 

A  Compendium  of  English  Literature,  chronologically  arranged,  from  Sir  John  Mande- 
viUe  (14th  century)  to  William  Cowper  (close  of  the  ISth  century);  consisting  of 
Biographical  Sketches  of  the  Authors,  choice  selections  from  their  works  ;  with  Notes 
^explanatory  and  illustrative,  and  directing  to  the  best  editions,  and  to  various  criticisms. 
Designed  as  a  text-book  to  the  higher  classes  in  Schools  and  Academies,  as  well  as  for 
private  reading.     By  Charles  D.  Cleveland.     $1  50. 

An  Elementary  Treatise  on  Statics. 

By  Gaspard  Monge.  With  a  Biographical  Notice  of  the  Author.  Translated  from  tha 
French  by  Woods  Baker,  A.M.,  of  the  U.  S.  Coast  Survey.     §1  25. 

Harrison  on  the  English  Language. 

The  Rise,  Progress  and  present  Structure  of  the  English  Language,  by  the  Rev.  Matthew 
Harrison,  A.M.,  Rector  of  Church  Oakley,  Hants,  and  Late  Fellow  of  Queen's  College, 
Oxford.     §1. 


LECTUJIES 


ON    THE 


GENERAL   RELATIONS  WHICH    SCIENCE 


BEARS    TO 


PEACTICAL  A&RICULTIIRE, 

DELIVERED    BEFORE    THE 

NEW-YORK  STATE  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 


BY 


JAMES  F.  W.  JOHNSTON,  F.R.SS.  L.&E. 


WITH  NOTES   AND  ADDITIONS 


NEW  YORK : 
C.  M.  SAXTON,  AGRIULTURAL  BOOKSELLER, 


THE 

FA3IILY  laTCHEN  GAEDENER; 

CONTAINING 

PLAIN  AND  ACCURATE  DESCRIPTIONS 

OF    ALL    THE 

DIFFERENT  SPECIES  AND  VARIETIES 
OF 

CUSiSEffAB."^       V22GBTA3I.ES: 


BY     ROBERT     BUIST, 

AnXHOR  OF  THE  AMICRICAS  FLOWER-GARDEN  DIRECTORY,  ROSE  MANUAL,  ETC. 


NEW      YORK: 
C.  M.  SAXTON,  152  FULTON  STREET, 

aiSO,   STRINGER  4  TOWNSEND,   IT.   T-ONQ   4  BROTHER,   W.   F.   BUR- 
GESS,   DEWITT   <k   DAVENPORT,   WILSON    A   CO.,    DEXTER   * 
BR07HER.    BOSTON  :   REDDING  A  CO.     PHILADELPHIA  : 
W.  B.   ZIKBER,  LINDSAY  ,k   BI.AKISTON. 


AN 


ESSAY     ON    MANURES, 


SUBMITTED  TO  THE  TRUSTEES  OP 


THE     MASSACHUSETTS    SOCIETY 


PBO:MOTIHG     AGRICULTURE, 

FCfi,   THEIE    PREMIUM. 

BY    SAMUEL    L.     DANA. 


From  the  New  York  Observer: 

Essay  on  Manures.    By  Samuel  L.  Dana 

This  Essay  contains  much  useful  information  for  the  practical  farmer,  in  a 
small  compass,  in  reference  to  the  nature  and  management  of  manures  imme- 
diately under  his  control ;  the  knowledge  and  practice  of  which  will  amply  com- 
pensate for  the  expense  of  ascertaining  its  value. 


NEW    YORK: 
C.    M.   SAXTON,    152    FULTON    STREET. 

AUO,    STRINGER   &   TOWNSEND,    H.    LONG    &    BROTHER,    W.    F.    BUR- 
GESS,   DEWITT   <fe    DAVENPORT,    WILSON    A    CO.,  DEXTER    & 
BROTHER.    BOSTON  :  REDDING  &  CO.     PHILADELPHIA  : 
W.    B.    ZIEBEE,    LINDSAY    <&    BLAKI8TON. 


THE    AMERICAN    FARM    BOOK: 

OR, 

Compend  of  American  Agriculture, 

Sontoining  a  concise  and  plainly  written  Exposition  of  Duties  pertaining  to  tb« 
Cultivation  of  the  Eartli,  the  Management  of  the  Farm,  &c..  Sic.,  on  prac- 
tical scientific  principles. 

SY  R.  L.  ALLEN. 

■"he  cheapest  and  most  valuable  book  for  a  farmer  ever  printed  :  being  a  com 
plete  Guide,  both  practical  and  scientific,  for  the 

MANAGEMENT  OF  THE  FARM. 

Besides  the  varied  practvcal  knowledge  which  this  book  imparts,  and  whick  is 
indispensable  to  the  proper  management  of  every  department  of  agriculture,  it 
fives  the  elements  of  other  information  highly  necessary  to  a  successful  farmer, 
is  History,  Geology,  Chemistry,  Botany,  Anatomy,  Physiology,  and  Mechanics. 
These  branches  of  knowledge  are   given  as  applicable  to  agricultural  pursuits 
end  when  properly  understood  will  essentially  aid  and  assist  the  farmer.  In  fact 
a  knowledge  of  these  sciences  is  a  sure  key  to  wealth  for  any  agriculturist.     I 
gives  the   mode   of  preparaiion,  and  the   effects  of  all  kinds   of  maruires  ;  the 
irigin,  texture,  divisions,  and  description  of  every  variety  of  soils  ;  the  economy 
«f  sowing,  reaping,  and   mowing,  irrigation   and   draining  ;  cultivation  of  the 
grasses,  clovers,  grains,  and  roots  ;    Southern  and  miscellaneous  products,  as  cot- 
fon.  hemp,  flax,  the  sugar  cane,    rice,  tobacco,  hops,  madder,  woad,    Sec.  ;  the 
rearing   of  fruit — apples,   peaches,  pears,  plums,  grapes,  &c.  ;  farm  buildings, 
ledges.  &.C.  ;    with  the  best  methods  of  planting,  cultivating,  and  preparation 
for  market.     Illustrated  by  100  engravings. 
The  reader  can  form  some  idea  of  the  above  work,  from  the  fact  that  it  treaty 
'  800  different   subjects  important  to   a  farmer.     It  contains   3-54  pages,  and  i 
lieautifuily  bound  in  cloth,  gilt,  suitable  for  a  library.     Price  only  One  Dollar. 
Notices  of  the  Press. 
The  author  has  been  one  of  the  most  able,  contributors  to  the  agricultural  pres 
or  the  last  ten  years  ;  aside  from  this  he  is  a  practical  farmer  and  stock-breeder 
AuU  consequently  knows  from  his  own  experience  what  he  is  writing  about.  ■ 
Commercial  Advertiser. 
This  book  is  by  a  gentleman  of  known  experience ;  the  work  is  exceedingly 
(leap,  and  the  farmer  will  find  it  a  valuable  book  of  reference. — N.  Y.  Express. 
It  is  in  fact  a  brief  encyclopedia  on  the  subjects  treated,  and  the  farmer  will 
Hud  appropriate  information  on  almost  any  subject  coming  within  his  reach. — 
±few  York  Observer. 

Here  is  a  book  for  the  million,  precisely  what  its  titl6  indicates.  Compassed 
withm  its  pages,  the  reader  will  find  the  subject  of  soils,  manures,  crops,  and 
animals,  treated  in  a  style  easily  comprehended. — Spirit  of  the  Times. 

This  work  is  what  might  be  expected  from  one  so  well  qualified  for  the  imdei- 
taking. — Boston  Cultivator. 

We  are  glad  to  meet  a  publication  which  can  interest,  as  well  as  improve  the 
condition  of  the  human  race.  We  commend  the  work  to  every  American  farmer. 
— Christian  Intelligencer, 

Why  shall  not  every  good  farmer  economize  his  muscles  by  storing  his  mind  ? 
We  hope  tliis  book  will  find  its  way  into  many  family  and  school-libraries. — Neu 
York  Tribune. 
It  ought  to  be  found  in  every  farmer's  library. — Jerseyman. 
It  is  really  a  great  satisfaction  to  get  hold  of  an  American  treatise  on  Agricul- 
ture, that  has  a  plain,  practical,  common  sense  character  of  its  own.  The  author 
of  this  work  is  aJready'known  to  the  agricultural  public  as  a  thorough  practical 
farmer  and  stock-breeder.  That  he  well  knows  what  he  is  about  on  a  farm,  these 
pages  abundanty  show.  No  mere  book-maker  could  have  written  such  a  book  ; 
and  we  may  add,  also,  that  no  mere  piactical  farmer  could  have  written  it.  A 
"  good  practical  work"  can  only  be  written  by  a  man  who  has  both  thought  and 
acted  well.  What  distinguishes  this  volume,  is  its  conciseness,  its  clearness,  and 
its  perspicuous  treatment  of  the  subject  in  hand.  We  think,  therefore,  that  Mr 
Allen's  volume,  the  basis  of  which  is  go»d  practical  farming,  as  practised  by  th 
best  cultivators  in  the  United  States,  with  an  intelligent  reference  to  those  princi 
pies  of  science  which  lie  at  the  root  of  all  successful  practice,  is  likely  to  t)e  of  a» 
much  or  more  real  service  to  us,  than  any  worii  on  agriculture  vet  issued  frcira 
Ihe  press,  and  we  gladly  commend  it  to  the  perusal  of  every  one  o/  our  readm 
cagagea  in  the  cullivaion  of  land  — A.  J.  Vowning'a  Horticultwist 


EVERY  FAitf^EB  S  t^K  I  i 

Ten  Tliousand  Copies  prissti'd  iiB  six  3Iont!ts  ? 

ILLUSTRATED  TMITISE  ON  BOMESTiC  ANLMILS, 

Being  a  history  and  description  of  the  Horse,  Mule,  Cattle,  Slieep,  S-»vliic,  Poul- 
try, and  Farm  Dogs  ;  with  Directions  for  their  Management,  lireeding,  Crossiiig,  Bear 
ing,   Feeding,  and    preparation   for  a  profitable  market.     Also,   their   Diseases  aiio 

Kemedles  ;  together  with  Full  Directions  for  the  Management  of  the  Dairy,  and  the  Com- 
parative Economy  and  Advantages  of  Working  Animals,  the  Horse,  Mule,  Oxen,  &c.,  by  R.  li. 
AXJjEN,  Author  of''  Compeiid  of  A^nencan  MgriculluTc"  S;C. 

The  above  work  contains  more  than  40  Engravings  and  Portraits  of  Improved  Animala 
Illustrative  of  the  different  breeds  and  various  subjects  treated  in  it. 

The  most  minute  as  w  ell  as  general  principles  for  Breeding,  Crossing,  Rearing,  Feeding,  anj 
Management  of  all  Domestic  Animals,  are  herein  given,  to  produce  the  utmost  marketable 
value  for  the  food  and  attention  bestowed  on  them  ;  as  well  as  to  prevent  disease,  and  save  the 
immense  losses  which  annually  occnr  from  this  source.  It  can  be  sent  by  Mail,  in  C  loth  tjini* 
Ing,  for  75  Cents— Paper,  50  Cents.     Published  by  C.  M.  SAXTOM,  152  Fulton  st.    N 

ork.    For  sale  by  all  the  Booksellers  throughout  the  country. 

Agents  wanted  for  every  county  in  every  state.    Address,  post  paid,  the  Publisher. 

OPINIONS    OF  THE    PRESS, 

The  Compactness  yet  ^mpleteness  wiU  make  it  a  favorite  with  agriculturists. — Chronicle, 
Philadelphia. 

Its  greatest  worth  is,  as  a  complete  farrier,  showing  the  diseases  of  animals,  their  treatment, 
and  cure.— i^ar.  4"  -Mef, 

The  portion  which  relates  to  the  dairy  alone,  is  worth  the  cost  of  the  book. —  Worcester 
Transcript. 

It  is  every  way  adapted  to  be  serviceable  in  every  household  which  has  domestio  animals. — 
D.  Adv.,  Newark. 

We  believe  it  a  complete  guide  for  the  farmer  and  dairyman  in  the  purchase,  care,  and  use  ol 
Bntmals. — Jeffersonian. 

Here  is  a  work  which  should  be  in  the  hands  of  every  farmer. — Highland  Courier. 

We  can  confidently  recommend  this  work  as  a  very  instructive  one  to  those  engaged  in  farm 
Ing,  raising  stock,  or  husbandry. — Northampton  Courier. 

The  author  is  a  practical  farmer  and  stockbreeder,  and  is  able  to  vouch  for  the  correctness  of 
the  remedies  for  diseases  of  Domestic  Animals,  as  well  as  the  bast  mode  of  managing  them. — 
Huron,  O.  Reflector. 

It  cost.s  but  seventy-five  cents,  and  cannot  fail  to  be  worth  ten  timet  that  amount  to  any  far 
mer. — Summit  S.  C.  Beacmi. 

It  is  the  best  of  that  character  we  have  yet  seen  ;  no  farmer  should  be  without  it. — Democrat, 
Car/isle,  Pa. 

This  is  just  such  a  book  as  every  owner  of  stock  should  be  possessed  of — Easton  Md  Star. 

Here  is  a  book  which  all — those  who  follow  the  plow,  and  those  who  direct  it — can  read  to 
profit.  It  is  a  Ubrary  of  knowledge,  presenting  the  latest  improvements  and  di.scoveries,  on  aU 
the  topics  treated  of;  and  illustrated  by  a  great  variety  of  cuts.  The  "  Aliens,"  one  of  whom  is 
the  author  of  the  work  before  us,  are  quite  famous  in  their  especial  role,  so  that  what  proceedf 
from  them  may  be  confidently  credited  at  all  events.  The  present  book  is  a  most  interesting  and 
instructive  one,  and  must  meet  with  a  great  sale. — Sciota  Gazette. 

This  work,  to  the  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  will  be  useful,  instructive,  and  profitable,  enabling 
them  to  improve  the  breed  of  their  stock,  preserve  them  from  sickness,  and  cure  them  when 
infected  with  disease. — Herald,  Morrisville.  Ihi. 

The  time  has  gone  by  when  farmers  can  expect  to  succeed  without  giving  some  attention  to 
Book  Farming,  and  we  trust  they  begin  to  see  it  for  themselves.  We  should  like  to  hear  that 
this  work  was  in  the  hands  of  every  farmer  in  the  county. — Mercury,  Potsdam,  N.  Y. 

The  title  page  of  this  work  gives  a  good  idea  of  its  scope  and  intent.  It  is  a  comprehensiTe 
summary  of  farm  operations,  and  will  prove  very  acceptable  to  the  great  mass  of  our  farming 
population.  We  are  informed  that  3,000  copies  of  this  work  have  been  sold  since  the  first  of 
January.     It  is  well  printed  and  profusely  illustrated  — N.  Y.  Tribune. 

It  is  furnished  with  numerous  illustrating  cuts,  and  will  form  a  complete  "rade  mecnm"  for 
the  agriculturist,  convenient  for  reference,  and  to  be  relied  on  when  consulted. — Soitimoie 
American. 

This  is  a  practical  book  by  a  practical  man,  and  will  serve  extensive  practical  ends.  It  if 
a  companion  which  every  farmer  will  feci  that  he  cannot  well  be  without. — N.  Y.  Observer 

We  cheerfully  recommend  this  work  to  I'armers. — Signal,  Juliett,  III. 

We  anticipate  an  exten.sive  «»le  for  this  work. —  Ohio  Cultivator. 

This  work  ought  to  be  in  the  hands  of  every  planter. — N.  O.  Delta. 

The  author  is  a  gentleman  of  fine  attainments,  and  who  ranks  as  one  of  the  most  acconi' 
plished  writers  on  agricultural  subjects  in  the  country. — Ala.  Planter.  _ 

Many  a  valuable  animal  is  lost,  every  year,  for  want  of  iha  knowledge  here  conveyed. — Eagle- 
Brattleboro,  VI. 

The  author  (Mr.  Allen),  is  a  practical  man,  and  everything  from  his  pen,  on  subjects  con 
Beeted  with  agriculture  and  cattle  breediiuc.  is  valuable  to  those  who  prefer  matter  of  fact  t« 

JT^  theory  -  Mam:  Parmer 


THE  AMERICAN  BEE-KEEPER'S  MANUAL 

BY    T.    B.    MINER. 

3J0  pp.  l2rao.    35  Eagravings.    Price  $1. 

PUBLISHED  BY  C.  M.  SAXTON,  152  FULTCN  ST.,  N.  "?. 

OPINIONS  OF  THE  PRESS. 

"  The  most  complete  work  on  the  Bee  and  Bee-keeping  we  have  yet  seen."— 
K:  Y.  Tribitne. 

"  Mr.  Jliner  has  handled  this  subject  in  a  masterly  manner.-'— A'.  Y.  True  Svti. 

"He  has  written  a  work  of  the  most  fascinating  interest."— A''.  >'.  Sunday  Dim 
patch. 

"  It  will  interest  the  general  reader.  It  is  indeed  a  charming  rolume.— Cow 
mercial  ^idvertiser. 

"  This  is  a  truly  valuable  work,  and  very  interesting." — Morning  Star. 

"  It  is  decidedly  the  best  work  we  have  ever  seen."— i?o«/on  Daily  Mail. 

"  Mr.  Miner  has  performed  his  task  with  signal  ability."— iScJen/(/ic  AmericaTu 

"  It  does  high  credit  to  the  observation  and  intelligence  of  the  author." — Chris- 
titm  Intelligencer. 

'•  This  is  the  most  comprehensive  and  valuable  work  on  the  Honey-bee  that 
hos  ever  come  under  our  notice." — Journal  of  Commerce. 

"  To  appreciate  the  value  of  the  honey-bee  one  must  get  this  book  and  read  it 
attentively." — Xoah's  Messt.nger. 

'•'  We  like  it  for  its  independent  tone,  and  the  amount  of  practical  informatjon 
that  it  contains." — Literary  World. 

"  "We  have  been  greatly  edified  and  entertained  by  this  bgok.  from  which  the 
Nader  will  cc  lect  a  great  deal  of  excellent  informa'tiou. —  The  Independent. 

"  This  ie  probablv  the  most  complete  manual  of  the  kind  ever  published.  It  will 
rich)/  repay  the  general  reader,  too,  by  the  variety  of  interesting  facts  it  co». 
tains.'  —.Boj/on  Traceller. 

"  It  is  %  most  excellent  and  useful  treatise,  and  happily  supplies  a  vacnnm 
that  had  long  existed."— Boston  Times. 

"This  volume  has  all  the  charm  of  a  romance  and  admiraMy  displays  tho 
habits  of  this  insect." — O'gan. 

"  This  volume  is  what  it  pretends  to  be.  (more  than  can  be  said  of  many  wo  rki) 
Ujd  all  who  want  a  full  and  thorough  history  of  the  natuce  and  management  ol 
of  the  bee  should  have  it  in  their  possession." — Scientific  American, 

'•  It  is  neatly  printed,  well  illustrated  and  clearly  written  and  contains  a  great 
(Jeal  of  practical  information." —  Mirror. 

*"  This  work  probably  contains  better  instructions  in  regard  to  bees  than  any 
which  have  ever  appeared.'' — Sun. 

'•  The  practical  directions  are  the  result  of  evident  experience,  and  being 
plainly  and  oouoisely  stated,  are  excellent.  It  is  so  much  better  than  can  b« 
»btained  elsowb^.re  that  we  commend  it  to  favor." — iV.  Y.  Bvangelitt. 

'•  It  is  an  ("yrpllent  book  and  th«  best  published  o.:  the  subject." — BostoH  OUvt 
Birmnek. 


LECTURES 


APPLICATIONS  OF  CHEMISTRY  AND  GEOLOGY 


AGRICULTURE. 


"The  profit  of  the  eartli  is  for  all  ;  the  king  liimself  is  served  by  tlie  field." — Eecleg.  r.  i 


BY  JAS.  F.  VV.  JOHNSTON,  M.A.,  F.R.SS.  L.  &  E., 

FELLOW   OF    THE   OEOLOGICXL   ANB   CHEMICAL   SOCIETIES, 

Honorary  Member  of  the  Royal  Agricultural  Society,  Foreign  Member  of  the  RoyaJ 
Swedish  Academy  of  Agriculture,  &c.  &c  ;  Chemist  to  the  Agricultural 
Chemistry  Association  of  Scotland,  and  Reader  in  Chemistry 
and  Mineralogy  in  the  Univeisity  of  Durham. 


NEW  EDITION,  WITH  AN  APPENDIX, 

CONTAININO  SUGGESTIONS  FOR  EXPEUIMENTS   IN  PRACTICAL  AGEICULTtTlK 


NEW     YORK: 
C.  M.  SAXTON,  AGRICULTURAL  BOOK  PUBLISHER. 

No.  ]5'2  FULTON  STREET. 


A     PRACTICAL     TREATISE 

ON    TUE 

CULTIVATION   OF   THE   GRAPE  VINE 

ON     OPEN     WALLS. 

WITH    A    DESCRIPTIVE    ACCOUNT    OF    AN 

IMPROVED  METHOD  OF  PLANTING  AND  MANAGING 

THE 

ROOTS    OF    GRAPE    VINES, 

BY     CLEMENT     HO A RE. 

TO    ■WHICH    IS    .4J}DED, 

AN    APPENDIX, 

CONTAININQ 

REMAUKS  ON  THE  CULTURE  OF  THE  GRAPE  VINE  IN 
THE  UNITED  STATES. 


NEW    YORK: 
C.  M.  SAXTON,  1512  FULTON  STREET. 


AMERICAN    ARCHITECT, 

jomplele  in  24  Nos.,  at  25  cents  each,  or  $5  for  2-^ 
Nos.   $6,  bound  in  2  vols. 

PUBLISHED  BY   C.  M.  SAXTON,  NEW-YORK. 


The  object  of  this  publication  is  to  introduce  ORIGINAL  DESIGNS  of  Country 
Seats  adapted  to  tlie  varied  taste  and  circumstances  of  an  American  population  : 
from  the  elegant  Villa  to  llie  simple  Cottage  and  plain  Farm-IIousk  ;  from 
Planters'  Mansions  to  Village  Domicils.  In  a  word,  every  variety  of  Rural 
Residences  will  be  embraced,  in  order  to  meet  the  views  of  every  person  desiring 
a  Country  House.  In  respect  to  style,  cost,  arrangement,  finish,  &c.,  utility 
will  never  be  sacrificed  :  economy  in  the  outlay,  with  an  appropriate  style,  wil 
always  be  kept  in  view.  The  requisite  details,  specifications,  plans,  and  direc 
tionsi  with  a  careful  and  reliable  estimate  of  the  cost,  will  accompany  each  design 
These  are  essential  features  of  a  Practical  Work,  and  no  labor  will  be  spared  in 
their  preparation. 

Of  the  diversity  of  human  dwellings,  whether  marked  by  elegance,  convenience, 
or  utility,  or  by  the  want  of  them,  none  can  compare  in  national  importance  and 
philosophical  interest  with  the  Farm-House — the  Homestead  of  our  species. 

A  triple  value  attaches  to  that  class  of  men  which  feeds  all  others.  AVith  pri- 
meval farmers,  man's  social  faculties  were  first  unfolded.  With  them  society 
began :  and  among  whatever  people  its  siiaft  has  become  polished  and  its  cap-.tal 
enriched,  it  .still  rests  on  llie  cultivators  of  tlie  soil.  So,  of  their  profession,  agri- 
culture IS  the  great  parent  of  the  arts,  while  its  prepared  products  will  forever 
oe  the  most  essential  of  all  manufactures.  Then  it  was  in  their  dwellings  that 
Architecture  itself  had  its  birth  ;  it  was  they  who  first  abandoned  the  tent  with 
astoral  life,  and  began  to  devise  and  construct  fixed  and  permanent  abodes. 

The  estimates  we  give  are  based  on  New  York  prices  ;  including  the  best  ma- 
terials, workmanship,  and  finish.  There  is  no  doubt  that  m  many  parts  of  tJie 
country,  they  may  be  materially  diminished  in  every  one  of  these  respects— evee 
to  the  extent  of  one-half. 

The  selection  of  designs  by  those  about  to  build  Country  Residences  is  co» 
.Tionl^  attended  with  embarrassment  and  always  with  expense  When  furnishea 
?y  professional  men,  from  general  ideas  communicated  by  proprietors,  they  are 
seldom  satisfactory.  The  American  Architect,  by  furnishing  a  collection  of  designs 
adapted  to  all  tastes  and  means,  will  remove  every  difficulty  in  the  choice,  and 
save  money  expended  on  Plans  of  no  use.  It  will  furnish  twelve  Elevations, 
Plans,  and  Specifications  in  each  year,  at  a  price  not  exceeding  one-seventh  of 
the  usual  charge  for  one. 

Every  handsome  residence  adds  value  to  the  grounds  attached  to  it ;  hence  the 
importance  of  having  such,  by  those  who  invest  capital  in  this  species  of  property. 

With  regard  to  utility — the  proper  distribution  of  the  apartments  and  then 
adaptation  to  the  purposes  intended  is  the  most  important  point  to  be  attended 
to,  and  they  are  governed  by  the  Plans. 

From  among  the  great  number  of  notices,  we  select  the  following  :— 

"  The  price  is  only  25  cents  for  each  number,  and  it  is  surely  next  to  impossible 
but  that  such  a  periodical  will  obtain  a  wide  circulation." — New  York  Tribune. 

"  This  work  promises  to  supply  a  want  which  has  long  existed,  and  to  be  ot 
essential  value." — Sahm  Register. 

"  This  work  cannot  fail  to  be  useful  and  popular." — hciston  Bee. 

"  This  is  a  good  and  beautiful  work,  and  well  adapted  to  effect  a  much  desired 
reform  in  American  Arcliitecture." — Boston  Traveller. 

Thi  Cost  of  building  from  the  Plans  given,  will  be  from  $600  to  $5,000,  witj 
comp  ?te  Specifications  from  a  first-rate  Mason  and  Carpenter,  and  the  pncM 
giren  "an  be  depended  upon. 


GUNN'S  DOMESTIC  MEDICINE, 

OB  POOR  MANS  FRIEND  ;    IN  THE  HOTJRS  OF  AFFLICTION   PAUSi 

AND  SICKNESS,  A  SAFE  AND  RELIABLE  GUIDE. 

Raymond's  copy,  price  three  dollars. 

This  Book  points  out  in  plain  language,  free  from  doctors'  terms  the  Diseases 
of  Men,  Wjraen,  and  ClTlldren,  and  the  latest  and  most  improved  means  used  in 
their  cure  •  ir.d  is  intended  expressly  for  the  benefit  of  families.  It  also  contain! 
descripticds  oi  the  Medical  Roots  and  Herbs  of  the  United  States,  and  how 
they  are  to  be  used  in  the  cure  o*'  diseases.  It  is  arranged  on  a  new  and  simplo 
plan  by  which  the  practice  of  Medicine  is  reduced  to  principles  of  common 
sense. 

This  invaluable  book  has  passed  through  many  editions ;  it  has  now  been  re- 
vised and  improved  in  every  respect,  and  enlarged  to  nearly  double  its  former 
gize ;  and  contains  nine  hundred  octavo  pages. 

It  does  not  propose  to  dispense  with  physicians  in  severe  ca*es.  But  it  does 
propose  to  save  thousands  and  tens  of  thousands  annually,  by  putting  the  means 
of  cure  into  every  man's  hands,  and  of  saving  many  valuable  lives  (which  is  ol 
far  more  importance)  by  instructing  individuals  how  to  check  disease  in  its  begin- 
nings, before  it  has  acquired  too  much  strength  to  resist  and  overcome. 

Opinions  of  the  Press, 

"  We  seldom  take  up  a  book  of  this  class  with  any  favorable  impressions  ;  1<  r 
we  fear  quackery  and  pretension  have  been  at  work  for  the  '  poor  man  ;'  but  in 
this  work  all  our  prejudices  were  conquered.  Professional  men  as  well  as  others, 
we  see  cheerfully  recommend  this  book ;  which  has,  in  its  ample  pages,  much  o' 
the  necessary  instruction  to  ward  off  or  to  cure  disease  " — New  York  Express. 

"  It  is  written  in  an  easy,  plain,  and  familiar  style,  and  points  out  the  diseases 
of  men,  women,  and  children,  and  the  latest  and  most  approved  means  used  in 
their  cure.  The  language  and  arrangement  are  so  simplitied  as  to  bring  it  within 
the  capacity  of  those  who  possess  a  very  limited  education.  The  object  and  de- 
sign of  the  author  seems  to  be  to  remove  all  that  technical  phraseology  which  is 
used  in  medical  works  generally,  and  thus  simplify  the  practice  of  that  science 
which  the  head  of  every  family  should  be  acquainted  with.  It  is  generally  recom- 
mended to  our  professional  readers  as  a  guide  in  cases  where  it  is  not  deemed 
necessary  te  have  the  services  of  regularly  educated  practitioners.  Tliis  book 
should  find  a  place  in  every  family." — Boston  Mail. 

"  This  is  a  work  of  Family  Medicine  on  the  plan  of  Dr.  Ewell.  Il  is  the  most 
olain-written,  untechnical  book  of  the  kind  we  have  met  with  ;  a  decided  improve 
ment  on  both  Buchan  and  Ewell.  It  is  printed  in  a  very  superior  style,  revised 
from  the  first  edition,  and  containing  a  variety  of  useful  information  liot  hitherto 
laid  before  the  vulgar  eye.  It  treats  of  the  passions.  It  has  also  a  catalogue  ol 
medicines,  with  their  properties  and  doses,  and  the  diseases  and  maimer  in  which 
they  are  treated  ;  comprising  a  svnoptical  Materia  Medica,  exceedingly  useful  in 
families,  and  m  >/o  particularly  ti  captains  of  vessels  and  planters,  who  cannot 
conveniently  procure  medical  advice.  It  is  an  excellent  book." — New  Orleant 
True  American. 

•'  If  we  judge  of  the  merits  of  the  book  by  the  immense  number  of  copies  already 
sold,  and  the  very  flattering  testimony  of  medical  men  of  the  first  standing,  (and 
among  the  number,  several  of  the  most  distinguished  members  of  the  faculty  in 
our  city,)  it  is  a  vauable  compendium  of  the  modern  practice  of  physic,  and  must 
prove  a  valuable  assistant  to  families,  particularly  in  sudden  emergencies,  and  in 
ftll  sittiations  where  regular  professional  attendance  cannot  be  commanded." — 
Louisville  Journal. 

"  The  great  advantage  it  possesses  over  all  other  books  of  the  kind  is,  that  the 
author  has  avoided  all  Latin  terms;  tliis  is  what  has  brought  Dr.  Gumi's  work, 
mtc  such  extensive  family  use." — Neio  Orleans  Picayune. 

"  As  a  medical  Vade  ilecum.  it  has  for  years  stood  high  ;  and  now,  smce  its  re- 
vision, (Raym  ond's  copy,)  will  take  the  lead  of  all  similar  works." — Mobile  Uatlg 
Advertiser. 

"  Its  extensive  sale  has  established  .ts  worth,  and  stamped  it  as  a  standard  and 
RSeful  book." — Kentucky  Gazette. 

ay  On  the  receipt  of  Three  Dollars,  Dr.  Gunn's  book  will  te  sent,  frtt  oj 
fostage,  to  any  part  of  the  United  .States. 

All  letters  must  be  addressed,  (post-paiil,)  to  C.  M.  SAXTON,  FpltonSt 
New  York. 

'« Raymon<ri  Coyy  "  is  the  '.'illy  "omplete  ^ditiwn  and  is  so  inaiked  on  tb*".  back 


THE 

AMERICAN  BIRD  FANCIER; 

CONSIDERED    WITH  REFERENCE  TO  TliE 

UREEDINGj  REARING,  FEEDING,  MANAGEMENT,  AND  PECULIARlllEW 

OF 

CAGE  AND  HOUSE  BIRDS. 

Illustrated  with  Engravings 


BY    D.    J.    BROWNE, 

ADTnOR   or   THE    SVLVA   AMERICANA,    THE   AMERICAN  POULTRY  YARD,   BTC. 


NEW    YORK: 
C.  M.  SAXTON,  152  FULTON  STREET. 

ALSO,   STRINGER  &  TOWNSEND,    II,   LONG  &  DROTIIEK,  W.   F.  BURa^SS, 

DKWITT    &    DAVENPORT,    WILSON    &    CO.,    DEXTER    i    BROTHER, 

rHILADELl'IIIA  :    ^Y.  B.   ZIEBER,  LINDSAY    i    BLAKISTOIT. 

boston:      REDDING     <fe     CO. 


THE 

AMERICAN    POULTRY    YARD; 

COMPRISING    THE 

ORIGIN,  HISTORY,  AND  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  DIFFERENT 
BREEDS  OF 

Bamtsiic  ^oultrg; 

WITH 

Complete  Directions  for  their  Breeding,  Crossing,  Rearing, 

Fattening,  and  Preparation  for  Marliet ; 

Including  Specific  Directions  for  Caponising  Fowls,  and  for   the 

Treatment  of  the  Principal  Diseases  to  which  they  are  subject. 
DRAWN  FROM  AUTHENTIC  SOURCES  AND  PERSONAL  OBSERVATION 
IWustrated   tj   Numerous   Engravings 

By    D.    J.    BROWNE. 

With  an  Appendix,  embracing  the  Comparative  Merits  of 
Different  Breed  of  Fowls. 

By    SAMUEL    ALLEN. 

Price  $1, 171  cloth — 75  cts.  with  paper  covers. 


Pnblisbcd  by  C.  M.  SAXTOIV,  153    Fulton  Street,  N.  Y 

OPINIONS  OF  THE  PRESS. 
Mr.  Browne  was  bred  and  brought  up  a  practical  farmer.  From  his  intimate  kno-tr 
ledge  of  the  history  and  habits  of  our  domestic  animals,  having  devoted,  probabl)', 
more  attention  to  the  subject,  as  a  whole,  by  reading  and  obsen'ation,  than  any  other 
individual  in  the  countiy,  the  task  of  preparing  this  work  was  assigned  to  him.- 
Salem  Register. 

The  style  of  the  engravings  and  the  mechanical  execution  of  the  work  aio  excellent 
— Maine  Farmer. 

An  extensire  work  on  poultry,  embracing  every  information  desired.— JV.  H.  Teie 
graph. 
We  commend  the  book  and  the  subject  to  the  thoughts  of  farmers.— F«.  JVatckman. 
Every  one  who  may  pui-chase  a  copy,  upon  a  perusal  of  the  same,  will  be  fully  sati*- 
9ed  that  their  money  was  well  spent.— Bristol  Phanii. 

It  is  one  of  the  best  treatises  on  the  Domestic  Fowl  ever  published.— JVerc-Kau. 
Palladium. 

The  details  into  which  this  book  entere,  on  all  the  subjects  comiected  with  the  pr» 
fitable  raising  of  fowls,  are  precisely  of  that  minute  and  practical  character  which  if 
needed. — JV.  Y.  Evangelist. 

We  are  glad  to  see  that  the  evident  demand  for  information  on  the  subject  m 
rearing  Domestic  Fowls  has  called  out  so  valuable  a  work  as  the  one  before  us.— JV.  Y, 
Daily  Tribune. 

It  contains  matter  to  interest  and  instruct  upon  almost  everything  that  concerns  tha 
poultry  yard,  and  beai-s  the  impress  in  its  pages  that  its  editor  was  well  qualified  t» 
fulfill  the  task  he  undertook. — American  Farmer. 

It  is  the  most  complete  book  of  its  class  ever  published,  and  quite  indispensable  U, 
all  who  are  interested  in  raising  poultry.— CAar/e*«on,  S.  C.,  fVeekly  Oaiette. 

No  farmer  among  us  would  remain  a  day  longer  without  the  work,  did  he  bu-t  kno 
Its  value. — Rahway  Register. 

It  is  unquestionably  the  cheapest  and  best  work  of  the  kind  extant,  and  should  ha 
m  place  in  every  farmer's  librar}\ — Qermantoicn,  Ohio,  Gazette. 

The  volume  is  enriched  by  an  Appendix  from  the  the  pen  of  Mr.  Samuel  Allen,  aa 
experienced  breeder  of  fowls,  who  haa  taken  mich  pains  to  improve  the  stock  in  thia 
country. — JV,  Y.  tVcckln  Trihiine. 


THE   AMEKICAN    AGRICULTURIST; 

A    MONTHLY     PERIODICAL 

SestflncK  to  intprobe  tte  JFarinev,  tijc  ^planter,  tj&e  Stocfts-JSteeHet; 
anU  tl)e  Jljorticulturfst. 

A.   B.    ALLEN,    Editor. 

"  Agriculture  is  the  most  healthy,  the  most  useful,  and  the  most  noble  employmeiU 

of  man." — WASHINGTON. 

TERMS. 

FOR  SINGLE  COPIES    ONE  DOLLAR  PER  ANNUM. 

THREE    COPIES    TWO  DOLLARS. 

EIGHT     COPIES    FIVE  DOLLARS. 

TWENTY  COPIES TWELVE  DOLLARS. 

The  American  Agriculturist  is  now  in  the  seventh  year  of  ■' s  publication 
From  its  commencement  it  took  a  high  stand  ;  and  has  ever  since  been  considered 
by  the  press  and  all  unbiased  judges,  as  the  LEADING  PERIODICAL  of  its  class 
in  America.  It  has  a  large  and  rapidly  increasing  circulation  throughout  the 
United  States,  tlie  Canadas,  and  other  British  possessions,  the  West  Indies,  and 
South  America  ;  and  we  may  fearlessly  assert,  that  it  has  given  more  reliable  in 
formation  on  rural  subjects,  and  been  perused  with  greater  general  satisfaction, 
than  any  paper  of  the  kind  yet  published. 

The  American  Agriculturist  treats  of  every  description  of  domestic  animals 
and  poultry  ;  their  characteristics,  breeds,  the  best  and  the  worst ;  their  advanta- 
ges and  disadvantages  ;  their  mode  of  breeding,  feeding,  rearing,  and  treatment ; 
their  uses,  profits,  management,  &,c.  It  also  treats  of  all  cultivated  crops,  inclu- 
ding fruits,  shrubbery,  &c. ;  the  best  seeds,  mode  of  planting,  cultivating,  gather- 
ing, and  preparing  for  markets  ;  the  general  principles  of  vegetation  and  the  laws 
of  vegetable  life.  It  describes  the  principles  of  mechanics  as  applied  to  macliine- 
ry  used  by  farmers  and  planters ;  the  best  machinery  and  implements  for  agri- 
culture, their  uses  and  the  particular  superiority  of  some  over  others,  aiui  their 
adaptedness  for  particular  purpo.ses,  &c. 

Address  all  subscriptions  to  C.  M.  SAXTON,  123PnLT0N  St.,  New  York. 

It  also  gives  the  latest  improvements  in  those  implements  which  may  have  been 
made,  and  suggests  others  ;  tells  where  they  are  to  be  found,  and  the  benefits  that 
will  follow  from  their  use.  It  also  specifies  new  objects  of  cultivation,  and  how 
they  may  be  better  prepared  for  a  profitable  market  and  more  general  use.  These 
are  a  part  only  of  the  objects  of  this  paper ;  yet  they,  with  the  other  subjects 
treated,  are  of  universal  interest  and  general  application.  Nineteen-twentieths  of  all 
that  is  to  be  found  in  it  is  of  the  same  use  to  one  part  as  to  any  other  part  of 
America.  Yet  we  find  people  constantly  objecting  that  it  is  not  printed  in  their 
particular  section  of  country,  and  that  it  is  not  suited  to  their  wants.  Does  it 
make  any  difference  where  a  boy  acquires  his  education,  provided  it  be  a  good 
►ne  and  he  be  correctly  taught  ?  Where  he  studies  his  profession  of  divinity, 
ttedicine,  or  even  law?  Cannot  he  take  the  principles  he  has  acquired,  and  apply 
them  equally  well  in  any  part  of  America?  Axe  not  the  blessed  sunlight  ol 
heaven,  the  ram,  the  dew,  the  heat,  and  the  frost,  though  sometimes  differing  in 
degree,  of  equal  relative  effect  wherever  they  are  felt,  whether  within  the  tropics 
oi  the  polar  circles,  the  eastern  or  western  hemisphere  ? 

If  the  question  were  as  to  a  choice  between  a  good  paper  printed  here  or  there, 
It  were  another  matter.  But  throughout  extensive  regions  tliis  is  not  tiie  case, 
and  it  is  either  a  good  paper  or  none  'v  all ;  and  even  if  there  were  one  for  every 
particular  section  of  country,  we  ro-gat  stiH  urge  a  general  circulas'on  for  oui 
•wc  ;  for  no  one  will  embrace  ali  tba'  is  important  to  be  knows. 


^Mm 


wCffi(M9W?MWiSWAWi 


,  11  i  1 1 1 1  111 !  0.1,11.1 1  uilli 

.ii(uuiuH.in,\V 


Pmm^mm. 


ViV/iVMiA 

.11  Hii.mnfli 

..   luuiiin, 
ij  uniiiiii 

1    Utllll  \i 


1 


(     tlHUHl-. 

nuimu 

r.uuWll 


mi 


( < I  It  1 1 1 1 C 
iuiiiinui 


ImmmmmMU 


'W.W'.y 


ll«l 


itiifflti 

M     ti.l 

, ',  I  i  h 
1 '.J  in. IK 


,niu    .unit 
Ytc  ...aiun 

,1-    iuiimit 


